For the second session of "What is Fascism?" we will be focusing on Italy. Please find below the two readings that you should prepare before class. If you can print them and the questions, please do, if not, bring a device you can read them on to class.
Here are some discussion questions to help you prepare:
Payne:
1. Why does "fascism" remain the "vaguest of the major political terms"?
2. How would you describe table I.1? Do you think it helps to prove what Payne is trying to argue?
3. Ditto for table I.2
4. Your question or comment for the class.
Mussolini and Gentile:
1. What is the relationship between action (or struggle) and doctrine (or ideas) according to Gentile and Mussolini? How does this come up throughout the text?
2. What is the significance of the state?
3. What seem to be the basic differences that Gentile and Mussolini see between fascism and other forms of political ideology?
4. Your question or comment for the class.
Lastly, as an optional exploration, feel free to investigate this online exhibit from the University of Wisconsin.