Evola's interpretation of fascism and moral responsibility. (19th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wolff, Elisabetta Cassina
• Is Part Of: Patterns of prejudice. Volume 50:Number 4/5(2016)
• Page Start: 478
• Page End: 494
• Publication Date: 2016-10-19
• Subjects: extremism -- Fascism -- ideology -- Julius Evola -- neo-fascism -- radical right -- Tradition; Antisemitism -- Periodicals; Discrimination -- Periodicals; 323.1
• DOI: 10.1080/0031322X.2016.1243662
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-322X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The ideological influence that several right-wing radical thinkers exercised on the Norwegian 'lone wolf' terrorist Anders Behring Breivik raises the question of how far a writer can be held responsible for acts of terrorism s/he may have influenced. Italian history provides a vital lesson in this respect: namely, the role played by the Italian traditionalist Julius Evola in the crucial passage from Fascism to neo-fascism. After reviewing Evola's ideological development, Wolff then analyses Evola's influence on a young generation of neo-fascists in Italy. Another relevant topic is the ideological continuity between Fascism and neo-fascism identified here, as centred on Evola's view of 'general fascism' as the Traditional right.