About Session
From Trump’s return to power to the rise of racist rallies at home, the far right is gaining new confidence. But with the term “fascism” being thrown around more than ever, understanding the real threat is crucial. Leon Trotsky, writing during the rise of Mussolini and Hitler, argued that fascism is a mass movement built to smash working-class organisation in times of deep crisis—combining electoral manoeuvring with street violence and racist scapegoating.
Trotsky also exposed how the failures of both the reformist and Stalinist left helped clear the way for Hitler’s victory. As large fascist parties are gaining ground in Europe, and anti-migrant groups in Australia platformed notorious UK Nazi Tommy Robinson, Trotsky’s key lesson remains urgent: only united working-class mobilisation can stop fascism from taking root. This session looks at Trotsky’s analysis and how it applies to confronting today’s far right.