UNSPECIFIED (2000) H.G. Wells's 'liberal fascism'. JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY HISTORY, 35 (4). pp. 541-558. ISSN 0022-0094

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Abstract

During the 1930s H.G. Wells's theory of revolutionary praxis centred around a concept of 'liberal fascism' whereby the Wellsian 'liberal' utopia would be achieved by an authoritarian elite. Taking inspiration from the militarized political movements of the 1930s, this marked a development in the Wellsian theory of revolution from the 'open conspiracy' of the 1920s. Although both communist and fascist movements evinced some of the desired qualities of a Wellsian vanguard, it was fascism rather than communism which came closest to Wells's ideal. However, in practice, despite the failure of approaches to parties of the left and centre as possible agents of revolution, Wells rejected the British Union of Fascists. The disparity between Wells's theory and his actions when faced by the reality of fascism echoes the unresolved tension between ends and means at the heart of the concept of 'liberal fascism'.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	D History General and Old World
Journal or Publication Title:	JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY HISTORY
Publisher:	SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
ISSN:	0022-0094
Date:	October 2000
Volume:	35
Number:	4
Number of Pages:	18
Page Range:	pp. 541-558
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/12765

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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