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SUMMARY:Researching Fascism and War Veterans: Theoretical and Methodologic
 al Approaches - Ángel Alcalde\, European University Institute
DTSTART:20141105T170000Z
DTEND:20141105T190000Z
UID:TALK56030@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Kate Bruce-Lockhart
DESCRIPTION:This paper gives an analytical and critical overview of the di
 fferent ways in which historiography has approached the historical relatio
 nship between veterans and Fascism during the interwar period. I argue tha
 t\, until now\, the different explanatory models employed by historians ha
 ve not resolved the conundrum of the existing link between veterans and Fa
 scism. After highlighting the importance of clarifying this historical iss
 ue\, I will critically explore different theoretical and methodological ap
 proaches employed by historians\, from social and political history to cul
 tural history. These different approaches include: the paradigm of the ‘
 brutalization’ thesis\; the identitary/anthropological approach\; the st
 udies on war culture\; the focus on disarmament\, demobilization and reint
 egration processes (DDR)\; and on cultural demobilization. While pointing 
 at the weaknesses of all these historiographical options\, I will devote p
 articular attention to two ways of analysis that can provide further insig
 hts on the relationship between veterans and fascism\, namely the comparat
 ive analysis of fascistization processes and transnational history. In ord
 er to show the suitability of these methodologies\, I will give some examp
 les from my own empirical research\, particularly on the history of the Fr
 ancoist veterans of the Spanish Civil War. With this paper\, therefore\, I
  will underline the need of introducing innovative approaches to understan
 d the crucial\, albeit highly complex\, connection between violent war exp
 eriences and fascism.
LOCATION:Wolfson Room South\, Trinity 
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