American Fascism, Passive Revolution, and the Utility of White America

• In Event: Marxist Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Marxist Sociology Section Roundtable 3

Abstract

Passive revolution is the transformation or maintenance of political institutions to resemble the ruling class without any outward or direct hallmark of revolution (Gramsci 1971). Passive revolution in a capitalist neoliberal state, for all of its time, has required violence against its citizens. A monopoly on violence is essential to the wealth class during periods of perceived tranquility, but it is most evident in periods of unrest or progression that is outside the bounds of interest of the state (Althusser 1971). Following this actualization is the strategic deployment of the state, recentering itself around its general interest. This is precisely how America, which for the past several decades has found itself constantly recovering from one crisis and falling into another. As this has occurred, America has experienced periods of struggle without resolution, with the support of the state's political apparatus, which has successfully co-opted or dissolved political dissent while failing to address legitimate concerns.

In this paper, I will argue that the American state is returning to its previous ultra-conservative roots to preserve itself. However, in doing so, the American state has failed to address the many political crises endured by the American people and at least make this descent into neo-fascism economically and socially comfortable for specific groups of Americans. This is unlike the previous eras of America, where, in financial ways, white middle-class America has been rewarded disproportionately for its whiteness and middle-class status amid targeted racial disenfranchisement of specific minoritized social and racial groups.

Author

• Cameron Farrar, Syracuse University