Paper short abstract:

I propose to use feminist ethnography as a paradigm of research to assume the “eminently political” condition of social science research. This could feed the current crisis of anti-fascism and suggest to explore how feminist insights can be used in understanding and opposing fascist presence.

Paper long abstract:

Ethnographic research on fascism necessitate to engage with ethical and political issues emerging from the specific political actuality (and past history) of the subject area of research. I propose to engage with the necessity to unveil the multiple presence of forms of threat and violence in fascist context, and relation of discrimination and racism needs to be assumed when deciding to collaborate during research process and with whom. I propose to use feminist ethnography as a paradigm of research to assume the “eminently political” condition of social science research (Bourdieu Wacquant 1992, Bourdieu 2003), especially when engaging with an anthropology of fascism. Researchers shall be aware and scientifically cognizant of their own positioning and presence during ethnography. Recent developments in feminist ethnographic literature (Schrock 2018, Davis Craven 2016) suggest a new direction for systemically engaging with the epistemological implications of positionality during fieldwork relations. Feminist ethnography is not a data collection method as surveys, fieldwork notes, interviews, and observation; rather, it is a methodology for interrogating such data (Davis Craven 2016).

What is suggested is also the structured use of feminist theory as a privileged lens into fascist practices and processes. This could feed the current crisis of anti-fascism (Bernardi 2019, Greppi 2020, Luzzatto 2004), and suggest to explore how feminist insights – considering feminism as a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression (bell hooks 2000: 1) – can be used scientifically and politically in understanding and opposing fascist presence and violence.