Counterrevolution: the global rise of the far right

Abstract

This review examines Walden Bello’s Counterrevolution: The Global Rise of the Far Right, which interprets the contemporary resurgence of far-right movements through the concept of counterrevolution rather than populism. The book compares historical and contemporary cases—including Italy, Indonesia, Chile, Thailand, India, the Philippines, the United States, and Brazil—to argue that far-right movements emerge from class conflict, middle-class anxieties, and the failures of liberal democratic and neoliberal regimes. While praising the book’s broad comparative perspective and its contribution to understanding the global rise of the far right, the review also identifies several limitations, including its insufficient engagement with rural dynamics in India, its broad application of the concept of counterrevolution, and its limited discussion of the welfare and social policy strategies employed by far-right movements.