Fascism and anti-fascism
International analyses on a historical and contemporary phenomenon
We are experiencing a world in upheaval. 80 years after the victory over German fascism in Europe, all signs around the world point to another major war. It seems as if the rise of fascist forces on the one hand and a deepening political and economic crisis on the other are increasingly converging. Fascism is in the air.
We aim to enrich international debates on the nature and concrete historical reality of fascism. In doing so, we make connections to the historical debate on fascism in the international labour movement in the 20th century, promote analyses of the development of fascist movements in individual countries today, look at the material basis and ideological manifestations of fascism today and form a hub for strategic discussions and experiences of social movements in resistance to fascism and fascism.
Our work and research
International Marxist conference: “Fascism back in Europe?”
“Fascism is the strongest, most concentrated, and classic expression of the world bourgeoisie’s general offensive at this time.” – Clara Zetkin, 1923
More than 100 years ago, a comprehensive debate began among Marxists to understand the phenomenon of fascism. In June 2025, we hosted a scientific-political conference to build on these debates, understand the controversies such as the relationship between liberalism and fascism up to the present day, and discuss the tendency towards fascism in concrete terms with Marxists, historians, and anti-fascists from across Europe.
Selected publications
A selection of our publications in English and German:
Die Rolle Nordafrikas beim Aufstieg des Faschismus in Europa (1923-1943)
Teil 1 – Italien und Spanien: Machtergreifung und Konsolidierung
Der Aufsatz untersucht die Bedeutung des Kolonialismus in der Maghreb-Region bei der Machtübernahme und festigung der faschistischen Systeme in Italien, Spanien, Deutschland und Frankreich und belegt, dass die Kolonien in Nordafrika in unterschiedlicher Art und Weise von großer Wichtigkeit für diese Regime waren. Der vorliegende erste Teil beschäftigt sich mit Italien bzw. Libyen und Spanien bzw. Marokko.
Der Antifaschistische Weltkrieg
Neues Buch: Wer hat die Menschheit befreit? Rekonstruktion der historischen Wahrheit
Dieses Buch legt erstmals eine umfassende Übersicht über die Todesopfer im Antifaschistischen Weltkrieg vor – von China über die Sowjetunion bis nach Jugoslawien und Afrika. Es zeigt, wie und wo der Faschismus wütete, wer ihn lange gewähren ließ, welche Länder und Bevölkerungen die größten Verluste trugen – und welche Kräfte den Faschismus am entschlossensten und wirkungsvollsten bekämpften.
Zetkin Journal – Issue 02
Fascism back in Europe?
This issue of the Zetkin Journal contains a summary of the International Marxist Conference “Fascism back in Europe?” which was held in Berlin in June 2025.
Over 200 participants and 19 speakers from 14 countries came together to discuss the history of fascism, the roots of reactionary tendencies in Western and Eastern Europe today, and whether we can expect fascism to return to Europe in the near future.
“Fascism never left”: Debates in Africa
A contribution by the Communist Party Marxist Kenya (CPMK) on debates in Africa around the reality and development of fascism in neocolonial Africa today.
Zetkin Journal – Issue 01
Fascism Rising: Perspectives from the Americas, Africa and Asia
“The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.” The Italian communist and anti-fascist Antonio Gramsci wrote these famous words in 1930 during the inter-war period in Europe. Today, almost a century later, they once again ring true.
In this issue, authors from India, the Republic of Korea, the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), Kenya, Latin America and North America provide a concrete-historical analysis of the contemporary conditions and historical developments of far-right forces.