The far right in the Global South, geopolitical conflict, and the fascist present

Abstract

This short article seeks to extend Richard Saull’s analysis of the relationship between capitalism and the far right in his “Capital, Race and Space”, focusing specifically on the Global South and its unique context within neoliberalism and its crises. Saull's framework, which explores the far right's rise through the uneven and combined development of capitalism over an extended historical period, offers valuable insights for understanding these dynamics outside the traditional centers of capitalism in the Global North. By examining the uneven and combined effects of capitalist neoliberalism, this piece argues that while the mechanisms driving the far right in Europe and the United States through neoliberal policies and crises provide a useful lens, they are not wholly sufficient to explain the distinct forms of far right regimes emerging in the Global South. These regimes are shaped by relational global contexts, which require a tailored approach to fully grasp their development and implications. Furthermore, this geographical extension of Saull’s analysis aims to enrich discussions about the contemporary relevance of fascism, drawing parallels with the historical experiences of nations like Italy and Germany that emerged as incubators of interwar fascism in the early 20th century. By shifting focus to the far right in rising or emerging nations, this work highlights the importance of considering how aspirations for great power status in the Global South may similarly foster expansionist forms of far right regimes today.