As the capitalist societies have struggled to cope with the repercussions of economic, social and humanitarian crises since 2008 global financial crisis, there would emerge authoritarian majoritarian tendencies in the countries of the Global North as well as of the Global South. This has, in turn, stirred a series of theoretical responses from ‘authoritarian neoliberalism’ to ‘post-fascism’ which aimed to provide an understanding of the transformations in the state-class relations. This reflects a quest to develop the most apposite concepts so as to establish analogies and differences across different geographical locations and historical time periods.
We invite papers to develop a critical, non-reductionist, Marxian understanding of authoritarianism and fascism, from a socially and historically grounded, internationalist perspective that would contribute to this quest. Such a critical analysis is essential to enlighten the dynamics of authoritarianism-cum-fascism, and their encroaching or incipient forms, in particular, their historically experienced racist and gendered reflections. The contributions to this stream could entail papers revisiting the classical Marxist theories of fascism as well as those critically engaging with contemporary attempts to come to terms with the current far right wing and authoritarian political formations. The papers may focus on different connected dynamics of authoritarianism and fascism, from the geopolitical crises of capitalist accumulation and colonial and imperialist competitions, to the transnational network of far right and fascist groups, the theories of microfascism and subjection, interpellation, and libidinal economy, its racialized, sexualized, and gendered dimensions. We welcome papers that also reflect on the history and memory of anti-fascist struggles and their international platforms, as well as the new forms of anti-fascist praxis that are emerging in different locations.
In this regard, the following themes and examples can be highlighted:
— Marxist theories of fascism: Luxemburg, Lenin, Gramsci, Trotsky, Thalheimer, Poulantzas, CLR James, and alike
— Neoliberal authoritarianism: Neoliberal capitalism, the dictates of capital, and the prerogatives of corporations; militarization; technocratic rules and the EU politics
— Ideologies of authoritarian and fascist movements: forms of organizations, affective orientations, and their transnational dimension and network
— Micro-fascisms, authoritarian personality, masculinity, fear and hatred.
— Anti-fascist struggles including labor, feminist, ecological, queer struggles and movements.
We are, as always, open to multiplying the themes with your contributions.
Historical Materialism Istanbul 2026 