ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces critical approaches to the analysis of fascist discourse. Fascist politics is inimical to the emancipatory agenda of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The chapter identifies a problem with this work, and a solution in the form of the groundbreaking work of Michael Billig. It shows the ways that work has developed from early philology of Klemperer, through to more work in Critical Discourse Analysis. The chapter presents a case study which applies to the critical analysis of fascist discourse: a speech delivered by Nick Griffin, the then-leader of the British National Party, at a party meeting in 2010. Fascist parties seeking power through the ballot have universally adopted the first political strategy – explicit verbal dissociation from fascism, both in terms of political and ideological continuities. The chapter draws on the discursive strategies proposed in the Discourse-Historical Approach to CDA.
