For episode 32, see here
The Theory of the Nation-State: The Moderns
XXXIII. Fascism and National Socialism
A. Somehow national socialism and fascism were combination of
professed socialists and professed nationalists.
B. Attempt to marshal total energies of people behind government
led to emphasis on war (or preparation for war, even permanent
preparation for war).
C. Mussolini and Hitler mined the ideas of philosophic irrationalism.
1. Combined, on an emotional level, cult of the folk and cult
of the hero.
2. Schopenhauer saw behind nature and human life the
struggle of a blind force within the human mind -- 'will' --
to construct an illusion of order and reason. The hope for
mankind was to end this struggle through contemplation,
consciousness without desire.
3. Nietzsche moralized struggle in place of achievement. Values
based on superior capabilities would replace liberal values.
4. Bergson gave utilitarian value to intellect and saw it as the
servant of the 'life force' (similar to 'will').
5. Sorel substituted 'life-force' for materialism thus stripping
Marxism of its economic determinism. Class struggle is
the manifestation of sheer creative violence on the part of
the proletariat. Myths inspire such movements; philosophy is
social myth.
D. Hegel was a rationalist and did not see philosophy as myth.
1. But Mussolini used Gentile's Hegelianism (theory of the
state) because it was expedient.
2. Claims were merely in pseudo-Hegelian language where
'might is right' and 'liberty' is found in subjection.
E. Central terms of national socialism:
1. Folk (race) -- organic people.
2. The Elite and the Leader.
3. Lebensraum -- the territorial expansion of a Germanic
empire.
4. The Folk:
i. the individual emerges from the Folk tom which he owes all
ii. individuals are not equal as they embody the reality of the
Folk in varying degrees
iii. at the center is the Leader
5. Society is:
i. the Leader -- charismatic 'natural" hero of the folk
ii. the ruling elite -- provides intelligence and direction
iii. the masses -- not capable of heroism, inert and led
by emotions
Note: This ends my notes from Sabine's A History of Political Theory. These entries start here. I have tried to be truthful to what I recorded as I read Sabine many years ago but have tweaked them here and there. I have regained an understanding of Western political thought and its continuing relevance. I hope they might help do the same for whoever stumbles upon them.
The Theory of the Nation-State: The Moderns
XXXIII. Fascism and National Socialism
A. Somehow national socialism and fascism were combination of
professed socialists and professed nationalists.
B. Attempt to marshal total energies of people behind government
led to emphasis on war (or preparation for war, even permanent
preparation for war).
C. Mussolini and Hitler mined the ideas of philosophic irrationalism.
1. Combined, on an emotional level, cult of the folk and cult
of the hero.
2. Schopenhauer saw behind nature and human life the
struggle of a blind force within the human mind -- 'will' --
to construct an illusion of order and reason. The hope for
mankind was to end this struggle through contemplation,
consciousness without desire.
3. Nietzsche moralized struggle in place of achievement. Values
based on superior capabilities would replace liberal values.
4. Bergson gave utilitarian value to intellect and saw it as the
servant of the 'life force' (similar to 'will').
5. Sorel substituted 'life-force' for materialism thus stripping
Marxism of its economic determinism. Class struggle is
the manifestation of sheer creative violence on the part of
the proletariat. Myths inspire such movements; philosophy is
social myth.
D. Hegel was a rationalist and did not see philosophy as myth.
1. But Mussolini used Gentile's Hegelianism (theory of the
state) because it was expedient.
2. Claims were merely in pseudo-Hegelian language where
'might is right' and 'liberty' is found in subjection.
E. Central terms of national socialism:
1. Folk (race) -- organic people.
2. The Elite and the Leader.
3. Lebensraum -- the territorial expansion of a Germanic
empire.
4. The Folk:
i. the individual emerges from the Folk tom which he owes all
ii. individuals are not equal as they embody the reality of the
Folk in varying degrees
iii. at the center is the Leader
5. Society is:
i. the Leader -- charismatic 'natural" hero of the folk
ii. the ruling elite -- provides intelligence and direction
iii. the masses -- not capable of heroism, inert and led
by emotions
Note: This ends my notes from Sabine's A History of Political Theory. These entries start here. I have tried to be truthful to what I recorded as I read Sabine many years ago but have tweaked them here and there. I have regained an understanding of Western political thought and its continuing relevance. I hope they might help do the same for whoever stumbles upon them.
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