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Call for Publications
Theme: Crisis Capitalism and Creeping Fascism, Subtitle: Bigotry, Racism, and the Rise of the Right in the Age of Neoliberal Barbarism, Publication: Special Project Series published by Heathwood Institute and Press, Deadline: Open
We are seeking articles for an extensive series which concerns the systematic dissection of a number of intersecting issues, ranging from the rise of the far-right in Europe; the popularisation of hate speech and openly racist rhetoric; the increasing legitimization of bigotry, xenophobia, and islamophobia; as well as the creeping rise of contemporary strands of fascism.
Furthermore, the aim of this series is to organise a cross-disciplinary analysis, rooted primarily in critical theory, which seeks to explain the rise in extreme right-wing phenomena in relation to broader social-historical, culture and, indeed, systemic trends. A study of the European far-right is one focus. However, we would also like this series to explore contemporary fascism, its contemporary form and potential. For example, fascist politics in Greece and in Eastern Europe are noteworthy. But what about claims of a new fascism in the form of the neoliberal corporate state? How do we explain the rise in open hate speech and bigotry? How does these issues and phenomena relate to early Frankfurt School analysis?
One of the oldest theses developed by the Frankfurt School explained how capitalism produced the conditions which made 20th Century fascism possible (Löwenthal). Can the same be said of 21st Century fascism? We live in a time deep social, political, economic and ecological crises – are these conditions threatening to reproduce pre-war social realities?
If to ask the question “what socio-historical, cultural forces are behind the rise in right-wing politics?” is to ask “to what extent crisis capitalism produces the necessary systemic, structural conflicts or antagonisms that foster potentially fascistic movements?”, then how might we contemplate the dramatic increase in right-wing phenomena in relation to current social, economic and political crises? What are the mediations, the systemic connections and links? Can it still be said today that the totality of the modern social, political and economic system produces patterns of far-right, authoritarian and fascist politics?
To put it differently, we encourage authors to explore the fundamental linkages between the crisis of the economy and the crisis of the political, social, cultural, existential and psychic realms with regards to right-wing extremism and the potentially disastrous increase in fascist politics. In what manner does crisis capitalism foster or produce conditions susceptible to this increase and to the popularisation of openly racist rhetoric? How might the increase and/or popularisation of hate speech and bigotry be explained along these lines? In turn, along what lines might this rise be countered? What sort of policies might be proposed for the immediate alleviation of suffering cause by capitalism and for the development of revolutionary alternative social conditions? How might a participatory, horizontal, inclusive grassroots politics assist in the development of such conditions? How can the left or, more generally, progressive or emancipatory movements confront crisis capitalism and provide a counter-narrative to the fear-driven, exploitative rhetoric of dominant right-wing narratives?
These are but a few lines of enquiry authors may choose to posit. But overall we would like to emphasise the importance of receiving contributions from a diversity of research fields, focusing particularly on right-wing trends and forces in relation to contemporary social life: the crisis of the state, law, economy, religion, in short, with the entire material and spiritual culture of humanity (to paraphrase Max Horkheimer). In short, the task of this ambitious series is to contribute to a critical theory of contemporary society as a whole. By focusing on the issue of far-right politics, we are also keen for authors to explore “the entirety of the social process” and present striking analyses of that which operates beneath the chaotic surface of this rise (Horkheimer again).
Author Information
The deadline for this project is open (although this is subject to change).
The article should be an original work, ranging anywhere from 2000-6000 words. We ask that an abstract (200-350 words) accompany the author’s submission. In effort to maintain public accessibility, articles will be published on Heathwood’s website as part of a special project series (with the idea that the series will also be published as a book at a later date). We anticipate that this series will have an extremely large circulation, with lots of promotion and publicity, potentially serving as a catalyst for stimulating analysis on current issues in relation to a critical study of contemporary trends.
Text: 10-12 point size font (Times or Times New Roman), preferably in .doc or .docx format
Article Length: 2000-6000 words
Abstract: 200-350 words
Author’s data: Short author’s bio-note and photo
References: Please put references in footnote at bottom of the same page. They should be APA in format.
Readers Profile: medium-high
Contact:
R.C. Smith, Editor
Heathwood Institute and Press
Email: submissions(at)heathwoodpress.com
Web: http://www.heathwoodpress.com/call-for-papers-contemporary-crises-and-creeping-fascism-hate-speech-bigotry-racism-and-neoliberal-barbarism/