I fully agree with David Moody about the need to be precise when
describing Pound's political program.  I suggest that those list
members who have not read my _Ezra Pound and Italian Fascism_
(Cambridge University Press, 1991) and who are interested in this
subject might read that book, particularly its treatment of Pound's
"left-wing fascism," a phrase meant to avoid facile presentations of
Pound's politics.

Cheers!

Tim Redman

On Sun, 3 Jun 2001 11:40:32 -0700 "A. David Moody"
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> It would contribute to clarity and perhaps even coolness of thought if
> everyone concerned were to respect the difference between "Fascism" and
> "fascist"; more exactly, in the current context, between "Mussolini's
> Italian Fascism" and whatever might be meant by "fascism".  The former can
> be defined; the latter in common and academic usage is so indefinite as to
> be useless, unless one has a use for selfserving abuse.   To give Fascism
> the capital letter is of course not to endorse it--it is simply a way of
> trying to keep clear what it is one is talking about.  Pound wrote
> propaganda in support of Mussolini and of what he took to be his Fascist
> programme--the writings exist, the evidence is available.  But it is quite
> another matter to call him "fascist" or "a fascist"--that's down to
> intepretation, not evidence.  "Interpretation"? -- well, given the
> unthinking usage of "fascist", that might not be the precise word for it.
>
> David Moody
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carrol Cox" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 4:31 PM
> Subject: Re: Pound studies and Kerry
>
>
> > Aww come on. "Fascist" has never meant merely (or even primarily) party
> > member. Too much can be made of Pound's fascism (and more often than not
> > too much is made of it), but you can't fully discuss the Cantos unless
> > you confront the fascist threads in it. (Note that "themes,"
> > "attitudes," "images" can't be party members, but we can still call them
> > communist, fascist, social democratic, whiggish, etc.)
> >
> > Carrol
> >
> > Jennifer Wilson wrote:
> > >
> > > I stand by my prior comment.  To share beliefs with party members is
> separate and distinct from being a member of the party.
> >

Tim Redman
School of Arts and Humanities, JO 31
University of Texas at Dallas
P.O. Box 830688
Richardson, TX  75083-0688

(972) 883-2775 (o)
(972) 883-2989 (fax)