Neofascism

Summary

Dominique Pagani approaches neo-fascism through Michel Clouscard. He sees it as the final expression of social-libertarian liberalism, which he sums up in the formula "everything is permitted, but nothing is possible": when crisis comes, permissiveness gives way to prohibition1. In his view, two forces appear after May 68, ecology and neo-fascism2. He argues that, from the 1970s on, fascism returns not through the traditional far right but through the liberal-libertarian left, which benefits from the weakening of the forces that came out of the Resistance3. Following Clouscard, he traces this present-day fascism back to the ideology of desire and to certain "new struggles": part of environmentalism, feminism or regionalism4. In 2026, he also dates its beginnings to the Cold War. He then defines it as a way of denying that one is fascist while taking account of the weight of public opinion. He adds that in times of crisis the liberal libertarians and the far right merge56.

1. 1Radio Galère: Michel Clouscard (2)7 Jul 2012 · 6:32
2. 2Radio Galère: Michel Clouscard (2)7 Jul 2012 · 50:51
3. 3Why is Clouscard indispensable?3 Jan 2023 · 7:10
4. 4In conversation with Bernard Friot (1 June 2018)12 Jun 2018 · 2:24:58
5. 5Neo-fascism and the ideology of desire: is Michel Clouscard still relevant?23 May 2026 · 1:09:06
6. 6Neo-fascism and the ideology of desire: is Michel Clouscard still relevant?23 May 2026 · 1:23:47

Summary produced automatically from 6 of the passages below, to be reviewed; the numbers link to the moment in the session.