About Book

This book offers a rigorous and thought-provoking exploration of contemporary extremism through the lens of critical theory, with a particular emphasis on marginalized perspectives. Saladdin Ahmed employs a “negative pedagogy,” which centers on learning through unlearning, to interrogate and deconstruct dominant cultural discourses, hidden forms of racism, and subtle expressions of fascism in modern societies. The text systematically examines the spatial, ideological, and socio-psychological dimensions of fascism, situating it not only as a historical phenomenon but as a persistent and evolving ideology that permeates neoliberal structures and capitalist totalitarianism. Ahmed’s analysis spans several interconnected themes: the spatiality of totalitarianism, the cultural mechanisms of the “mobomass,” the influence of the culture industry on shaping mass mentality, and the role of ideological forms in reproducing social hierarchies and anti-proletarian propaganda. By engaging with classical and contemporary fascism studies, the book develops a nuanced framework for understanding how extremist ideologies adapt to contemporary social, political, and economic contexts. Additionally, the work emphasizes the ethical and pedagogical imperatives of critical theory, highlighting how reflection, critique, and unlearning can serve as tools for resisting ideological domination and fostering social justice.“Critical Theory from the Margins” is a substantial and intellectually rich contribution to the study of extremism and contemporary social critique. Its focus on marginalized perspectives, critical unlearning, and the interplay between ideology, culture, and power equips readers with a comprehensive and actionable understanding of how fascist and extremist ideologies operate today. This makes the book an essential addition to any repository concerned with peace, counterterrorism, critical pedagogy, and cultural studies.