Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Defining Fascism Sociologically
- Historical Origins of British Fascism
- Post-War Decline and Re-emergence
- Contemporary British Fascism
- Sociological Explanations of British Fascism
- Conclusion: The Future of British Fascism
Introduction
British fascism has occupied a marginal but persistent position in the socio-political history of the United Kingdom. Although it has never achieved mass electoral success comparable to its continental counterparts, particularly in Italy and Germany, fascism in Britain has manifested in various forms across the 20th and 21st centuries. Sociologically, British fascism offers a compelling case study in understanding how far-right ideologies emerge, transform, and embed themselves in specific socio-historical contexts. It is an illustrative example of how reactionary politics can resonate within liberal democracies, challenging assumptions about Britain’s supposed immunity to such forces.
This article explores the origins, evolution, and social underpinnings of British fascism. By examining its ideological foundations, organizational structures, and socio-political appeal, this analysis contributes to a broader understanding of how fascist ideologies operate within democratic societies. Furthermore, attention is paid to the relationship between class, race, nationhood, and identity, all of which are central to the fascist imaginary. It also addresses the cultural rituals, emotional resonances, and aesthetic strategies employed by fascist movements, all of which are vital in maintaining social cohesion and mobilization within these groups.
Defining Fascism Sociologically
From a sociological perspective, fascism is more than just authoritarian governance or ultranationalist rhetoric. It constitutes a political and cultural project grounded in reactionary modernism, the rejection of liberal democracy, and the mobilisation of affective identities. Fascism seeks to construct a totalizing worldview that combines myths of national rebirth, racial purity, and cultural renewal through violence and exclusion. It is often animated by ressentiment, a deep-seated resentment of perceived cultural, moral, or political decline.
Key sociological features of fascism include:
- The glorification of a mythical national past and the promise of national rebirth.
- The fetishization of strength, virility, and order as antidotes to perceived decadence.
- A charismatic leader figure embodying the will of the nation and claiming direct communion with the people.
- Scapegoating of marginalized groups, especially racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.
- The desire for the organic unity of the people (Volk), often through violent exclusion and symbolic purification.
British fascism must be understood through these attributes, adjusted to the particularities of British political culture, class structure, imperial legacy, and enduring traditions of parliamentary democracy. It is shaped not only by global fascist discourses but also by distinctively British narratives of empire, class stratification, and post-imperial decline.
Historical Origins of British Fascism
The Interwar Period and the British Union of Fascists (BUF)
British fascism first emerged as a significant force during the interwar years, catalyzed by economic depression, fears of communism, and disillusionment with liberal democracy. The most prominent manifestation of this early fascism was the British Union of Fascists (BUF), founded in 1932 by Sir Oswald Mosley, a former Labour and Conservative MP who turned to fascism after becoming disillusioned with Britain’s capacity to respond to economic crisis.
The BUF drew inspiration from Mussolini’s Italy and, to a lesser extent, Hitler’s Germany. Its ideology combined British nationalism, corporatist economics, and vehement anti-communism. Over time, especially after 1934, antisemitism became increasingly central to its platform. The group also sought to portray itself as a modernizing force, with a stylized aesthetic featuring uniforms, mass rallies, and fascist symbolism.
The sociological appeal of the BUF can be explained through the following dynamics:
- Economic insecurity: The Great Depression had destabilized the working and middle classes, creating fertile ground for radical solutions and mass mobilization.
- Status anxiety: A declining British Empire and rising working-class militancy provoked reactionary sentiments among certain segments of society, particularly the petty bourgeoisie.
- Cultural nostalgia: The BUF promoted an idealized image of British history, invoking imperial pride and fantasies of lost greatness.
- Masculinist ethos: The BUF emphasized virility, discipline, and physical confrontation, resonating with militarized masculinity.
Despite some localized popularity, particularly in London’s East End, the BUF failed to secure lasting political power. This failure can be attributed to several factors, including Britain’s entrenched parliamentary norms, the strength of civil society organizations, resistance from anti-fascist groups such as the Jewish People’s Council, and widespread public revulsion following violent events like the Battle of Cable Street in 1936.
