Eamon Doyle - Antifa and the Radical Left

Published in 2019 by Greenhaven Publishing, LLC

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Copyright 2019 by Greenhaven Publishing, LLC First Edition

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Articles in Greenhaven Publishing anthologies are often edited for length to meet page requirements. In addition, original titles of these works are changed to clearly present the main thesis and to explicitly indicate the authors opinion. Every effort is made to ensure that Greenhaven Publishing accurately reflects the original intent of the authors. Every effort has been made to trace the owners of the copyrighted material.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Doyle, Eamon, editor.

Title: Antifa and the radical left / Eamon Doyle, book editor.

Description: First edition. | New York : Greenhaven Publishing, 2019. |

Series: Current controversies | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Grades 9-12.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018028211| ISBN 9781534503847 (library bound) | ISBN 9781534504554 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: Antifa (Organisation) | Anti-fascist movements. |

Anti-fascist movementsUnited States.

Classification: LCC JC481 .A573 2019 | DDC 320.53/30973dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018028211

Manufactured in the United States

Website: http://greenhavenpublishing.com

Overview: The Complicated History of Antifa Groups
Loren Balhorn
Balhorn demonstrates how the complex history of Antifa and Antifarelated political groups contributes to its lack of ideological clarity.Yes: Antifa-Aligned Groups Are United by Their Rejection ofFascist Ideologies but Also Have a Positive Political Vision

Antifa Is Based on a Rejection of Fascism, but Its Factions Also Embrace Specific Positive Goals
Lisa Dunn
Lisa Dunn looks at the history of Antifa and the platforms of variousaligned groups, from democratic socialists to anarchists and collectivists.

Antifas Decentralized Structure Contributes to the Movements Ideological Diversity
Shawn McCreesh
The independence of Antifa-aligned groups has allowed for differentcultures and subcultures to develop alongside the various ideologiesendorsed by these groups.

The Political Network Known as Antifa Is Organized Around Reactionary Ideals, but That Is Not the Endof the Story
Whitney Mallett
Mallett examines the activities and rhetoric associated with Antifawith a particular focus on the broad ideological threads that unite themovements disparate elements.No: Antifa Is Essentially a Resistance Network and ItsUnifying Ideology Is a Rejection of Right Wing Ideals

Antifas Posture of Resistance Is Deliberate and Partof Its Effectiveness
Christopher Joseph
Antifa is often criticized for having a purely negative, reactionaryideology. Joseph challenges this notion by characterizing Antifassingular focus on resistance as part of its strength and effectiveness

Antifa Lacks a Distinct Positive Political Vision
Vasin Douglas
Douglas compares Antifa to a variety of other groups on the FarLeft and Far Right, most of which embrace specific utopian politicaideals. He concludes that the Antifa ideology is unique amongextremist groups for its malleability and its reactionary posture.

In Order to Remain Relevant, Antifa Needs to SettleOn a Clear Set of Political Goals
Dhruv Devulapalli
Devulapalli argues that Antifas lack of a specific political agendacould eventually lead to splintering among the various factions,which could in turn prevent Antifa from becoming a truly effectiveforce in American politics.

Overview: The Specter of Fascism in American Life
Andrew E. Busch
Busch examines the history of Fascism and anti-Fascism in theUnited States with a particular focus on its renewed prominence inthe era of Donald Trump and the Alt-Right.Yes: The Moral Repugnance of Fascism and Its Well-KnownGeopolitical Risks Render Violent Resistance Permissible

The Right Is Prepared for Violence and the LeftShould Be, Too
Adrian Bonenberger
Bonenberger examines the relationship between violence andpolitical strategy in the context of the contemporary Left/Right dividein American politics. He argues that the Rights celebration of andpreparedness for violence (including military service, gun ownership,belligerent political rhetoric, etc.) has afforded it a distinct strategicadvantage over the Left.

The Psychology of Right Wing Authoritarianism
Magnus Lindn
Lindn explores academic research on the authoritarian personalityand assesses the degree of threat posed to a society when a segmentof the population is psychologically vulnerable to the appeal ofauthoritarian and Far Right politics.

When Political Institutions Fail to Contain Fascist and Far Right Movements, Aggressive OppositionBecomes a Moral Necessity
Natasha Lennard
Lennard argues that liberals and Leftists should worry less aboutthe hypocrisy of using violence to resist the spread of Far Rightideologies, especially when such ideologies have permeated the majorinstitutions of American government.

Authoritarianism Is a Threat to America and Decentralized Movements Are Necessary to Defeat It
Maria J. Stephan and Timothy Snyder
While the viewpoint authors do not believe violence is necessary,they argue that aggressive civil resistance is the best way to combatFascism and authoritarianism. Furthermore, from examining pastexamples around the world, they have concluded that decentralizedmovements like Antifa are the most effective.No: It Is Counterproductive and Hypocritical toUse Violent and Anti-Democratic Tactics

The American Left Is Degrading Itself by Engaging in Violent Tactics
Albert Eisenberg
Eisenberg argues that the recent uptick in Leftist violence in Americais morally unacceptable and contributing to the general culture ofpolitical division and extremism

Left Wing Violence Is Out of Control in the United States
Jacob Grandstaff
Grandstaff laments what he characterizes as a dramatic and alarmingrise in liberal and Left Wing violence during the Trump era inAmerica.

The United States Is Experiencing a Major Political Crisis and Antifa Is Making Things Worse
Diana Johnstone
Johnstone argues that the divisive, extremist dynamics of the AltRight movement on the Right and Antifa on the Left are preventingAmericans from addressing the numerous structural problems in ourpolitical system.

Antifa Is Undermining the Efforts of Peaceful Activists on the Left
Mitchell Zimmerman
Zimmerman reflects on his own experience as a student activist inthe 1960s and worries that the presence of Antifa-aligned groups atliberal demonstrations undermines the message that such protestsare trying to spread.

Overview: Antifas Impact on Contemporary American Politics