Defensive Nationalism: Explaining the Rise of Populism and Fascism in the 21st Century

In Defensive Nationalism, B. S. Rabinowitz looks at the rise of nativism and populism today by using the works of two great theoreticians: Karl Polanyi and Joseph Schumpeter. She combines Polanyi's concept of the 'double movement' away from markets and toward social protection with Schumpeter's theory of innovation. Rabinowitz argues turn-of-the-century transportation and communications revolutions in both eras produced toxic political upheavals and reframes nationalism as a three-part process: creative, consolidating, and defensive. Skillfully combining theory and history, the author produces a stunningly comprehensive account of why populism and fascism are on the rise in the early 21st century.