Good morning, everyone. It’s an honor to be here today to discuss a topic of immense contemporary relevance: The Global South and Anti-Fascism. When we talk about anti-fascism, our minds often jump to the battlefields of World War II or the streets of Europe in the 1930s. And rightly so; those were crucial moments in the fight against a horrifying ideology. However, this morning, I want to broaden our perspective, to bring into sharper focus the vital, often overlooked, role of the Global South in the struggle against fascism – both historically and in its evolving forms today.
The Global South is not merely a geographic designation; it represents a shared experience of colonialism, imperialism, and the ongoing struggle for true sovereignty and self-determination. It is precisely this history that has forged a unique and profound understanding of, and resistance to, the very essence of fascism.
To understand the Global South’s relationship with anti-fascism, we must first critically examine our definition of fascism itself. While its most notorious manifestations emerged in Europe, fascism’s core tenets – hyper-nationalism, authoritarianism, suppression of dissent, racism, and the cult of a strong leader – are not confined to any single continent or historical period. Indeed, we can observe these elements in various forms of colonial rule, settler colonialism, and the suppression of liberation movements across the Global South.
For many in the Global South, the experience of colonialism was, in essence, a form of fascism imposed from without. The brutal exploitation of resources, the dehumanization of indigenous populations, the denial of basic rights, and the violent suppression of any resistance mirrored the very characteristics we condemn in European fascism. Think of the atrocities committed in the Belgian Congo, the systematic oppression under apartheid in South Africa, or the genocidal policies in various colonial contexts. These were not just “unpleasant” aspects of colonialism; they contained deeply fascistic tendencies.
Therefore, the anti-colonial struggles of the 20th century were, by their very nature, anti-fascist. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Kwame Nkrumah, Frantz Fanon, and Ho Chi Minh were not just fighting for national independence; they were fighting against systems that embodied many fascistic traits. Their resistance movements, often non-violent but at times necessarily armed, challenged the racial hierarchies, economic exploitation, and political domination that were integral to colonial power structures.
Consider the role of soldiers from the Global South in both World Wars. Millions from Africa, Asia, and Latin America fought alongside Allied forces against explicit fascist regimes, often for freedoms that were denied to them in their own homelands. This paradox highlights the complex layers of anti-fascism. Their participation wasn’t just about fighting Hitler or Mussolini; it was also a struggle for their own dignity and a testament to their universal humanism against an ideology of hatred.
The Bandung Conference of 1955, a pivotal moment in the history of the Global South, can also be seen as a collective anti-fascist declaration. It articulated principles of self-determination, sovereignty, non-aggression, and human rights, directly challenging the hegemonic and often fascistic tendencies of Cold War power blocs and lingering colonial mentalities.
Today, fascism hasn’t disappeared; it has merely evolved and adapted. We see its echoes in the rise of far-right populism, ethno-nationalism, xenophobia, and authoritarian tendencies in many parts of the world, including within the Global South itself. Economic crises, social anxieties, and the manipulative power of disinformation create fertile ground for these ideologies to take root.
In some contexts, we witness the weaponization of religion or identity to create exclusionary political projects. In others, the erosion of democratic institutions, the crackdown on civil liberties, and the persecution of minorities reveal alarming parallels to historical fascism. The Global South is not immune to these internal challenges, and understanding their historical roots in colonialism and neo-colonialism is crucial.
However, the Global South also offers potent lessons and strategies for contemporary anti-fascist struggles. Movements for social justice, environmental protection, economic equality, and decolonization are inherently anti-fascist. They challenge the very structures that enable division, exploitation, and authoritarianism. The resilience of grassroots movements, the commitment to international solidarity, and the persistent demand for a more just and equitable world are powerful bulwarks against the resurgence of fascism.
