Axis studies : a critical re-evaluation of the comparative study of fascism / by Joseph P. Sottile.

Since the end of World War II scholars have debated the meaning and nature of fascism, but that debate has not produced any consensus. This thesis examines the issues and theories central to the post-war historiography, the various generic models, and the political and semantic factors that have shaped the interpretation of fascism. An examination of the historiography of fascism reveals that it has been governed by the Cold War “left vs. right” political paradigm, which produced problematic interpretations and divided scholars. In the pursuit of a more objective, less divisive interpretation of fascism, this thesis proposes a new historical paradigm for the comparative study of fascism-Axis Studies. By using the striking similarities displayed by the Axis nations-Italy, Germany, and Japan-as a fascist minimum, the key being the inclusion of Japan, “Axis Studies” provides a viable context for continued scholarship and a model for understanding fascism.