Readings on Fascism and National Socialism / Selected by members of the department of philosophy, University of Colorado

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

14058

Title

Readings on Fascism and National Socialism / Selected by members of the department of philosophy, University of Colorado

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This anthology presents authoritative documents on fascism and National Socialism, offering a chilling examination of their philosophical foundations, political doctrines, and social impacts. Edited by Alan Swallow, the collection features essays by Mussolini, Gentile, and others, alongside critical analyses by American scholars. It serves as an essential historical record for understanding the ideologies that led to global catastrophe.

Summary up to 500 words

Selected by members of the University of Colorado's philosophy department, *Readings on Fascism and National Socialism* compiles primary texts defining the ideologies of fascism and National Socialism. Benito Mussolini's *The Doctrine of Fascism* outlines a 'totalitarian' system where the State is the supreme ethical reality, transcending the individual and negating liberal democracy. Fascism is presented as a spiritual, historical, and corporate movement that rejects materialism and individualism in favor of a unified national will. It posits that the State is not merely a mechanism for order but a spiritual force that penetrates the will and intelligence of the citizen. Mussolini argues that true liberty exists only within the State, which is created by the active consciousness and will of the citizen rather than pre-existing nationhood. The doctrine emphasizes discipline, authority, and the 'Corporative State,' which integrates economic life into the state structure to eliminate class conflict. Conversely, the section on National Socialism details Nazi ideology, emphasizing the 'Volk,' racial purity, and the *Führer* principle. It argues for a state built on the will of the citizen, utilizing corporations to integrate economic life. The collection also includes a controversial address by Dr. F. Hamburger on National-Socialism and Medicine, which promotes 'positive Christianity,' the power of joy over fear, and eugenic policies regarding birth control and the sterilization of the 'unfit.' Hamburger asserts that soul forces rule the body and that doctors must lead the *Volk* in health matters, free from profit motives. The text contrasts these authoritarian views with critiques from liberal and democratic perspectives, highlighting the dangers of anti-intellectualism, the subordination of science to political goals, and the manipulation of education and culture. The bibliography provides further reading on the structures of dictatorship, the abuse of learning, and the human cost of these regimes. Ultimately, the book serves as a stark warning, preserving the documents that explain how modern societies were moved to the brink of disaster by these powerful, destructive movements.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Philosophy
• Politics