ABSTRACT
The first part of this chapter concerns the semantic and conceptual history of the related terms of Fascism, Populism and Nationalism (which are often used in an interchangeable and confusing manner).
The second part concerns the actual ‘Fascist Moment’ (1922–1945), covering the key aspects of Italian Fascism’s rise to power (1922–1929), its consolidation (1929–1938) and its nemesis (1938–1945). It then analyses the implications of the overall success of the Radical Right in Europe in 1938–1945.
The third part addresses issues related to the historical and historiographical legacy of Fascism in Europe and in the Third World in the Cold War era.
The fourth and final part addresses the still open issue of the role of right-wing Radicalism in the post–Cold War era. This covers the revival of differing memories of the Second World War and the rediscovery of both nationalism and populism in contemporary Europe.
