New Books in History Mark Mazower, "On Antisemitism: A Word in History" (Penguin Press, 2025)
Oct 26, 2025
Mark Mazower, Ira D. Wallach Professor of History at Columbia University, explores the evolving concept of antisemitism in his new work. He delves into the shift from traditional right-wing prejudices to modern interpretations, highlighting how post-war dynamics changed perceptions. Mazower discusses the geopolitical implications of Jewish demographics, the historical ties between antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and how contemporary debates often misinterpret the term. His insights illuminate the complexities surrounding antisemitism today, making it essential for understanding current global tensions.
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When Prejudice Became Politics
- Modern antisemitism is distinct because it politicized prejudice into a program aimed at disenfranchising Jews.
- The term arose in the late 19th century as activists turned stereotypes into mass-political agendas.
Antisemitism Took Different National Forms
- Antisemitism varied widely across Europe, adopting racial forms in Germany and Catholic-inflected forms in France.
- Early antisemites attempted international coordination, prompting reciprocal international Jewish mobilization.
Nazis As Heirs To 19th-Century Antisemitism
- Mark Mazower links Hitler and the Nazis to the anti-Semite tradition of the 1870s and 1880s.
- Their obsession made Germany's political trajectory center on a world-historical fight against Jews.
