Reductio ad Hitlerium: The ‘New Racism’ – A Challenge for the Anti-Racist Movement?

Abstract

A recent rise in far-right activity in Britain has brought with it the associated reinvigoration of the anti-racist movement. This has not, however, been unproblematic. It has been argued that there is a growing ‘new’ racism, representative of the so called ‘Defence Leagues’ of Britain, which warns of perceived cultural dissonance rather than biological superiority or inferiority. This article argues that, in the face of this ideological shift, the anti-racist movement must reassess its tactics and avoid Nazi reductionism if it is to successfully counter racism. This can only be achieved through full and frank discussion about emergent forms of racism and their genesis as well as targeted preventative community programmes.