I am definitely not getting invited to dinner parties after asking this question. When people illustrate the absolutely brutal record of socialism and communism as implemented in human history, we get the usual, “well, if only MY GUY was in charge” or if “only REAL and TRUE socialism were tried” then it would have worked, or at least been tolerable.
OK, fine.
But how come I never hear the following, “if only REAL and TRUE National Socialism had been tried and not corrupted by bad people) then things would have worked, or at least have been tolerable? You may say that at its core, National Socialism (Nazi-ism) is racist and deeply immoral, though I am not sure you would say that about the American Syndicalist brand of it. You may also consider that I might suggest the same of the “real” socialists.
In any case, why the former and not the latter?
I’m not sure, here’s what first comes to mind though:
I think it has something to do with intent. The Nazis are viewed as uniquely evil because their goal was the extermination of an entire race. Communism / socialism may have a worse record in terms of body count, but their ostensible goals were, by and large, not the extermination of peoples; the millions that have died in the name of communism are, by and large, collateral damage. They died not for their own sake, but in pursuit of some “greater” goal.
Note that I am in no way attempting to defend communism / socialism or excuse the atrocities committed in their name. The consequences are just as awful for those killed and their families, friends and communities. It seems fairly apparent to me though, that, in general, people are more willing to tolerate and excuse all sorts of terrible things when they are carried out in pursuit of some supposed good, than when the terrible things themselves are the intended outcome. So, people (rightly) consider the Nazis to be evil, but (perhaps considerably less rightly) consider communists to be simply misguided.
Wintercow, I’m planning a very fancy dinner party. You are on the top of my guest list. Details forthcoming.
‘wished I knew more of the European history, but is the Mussolini brand of National Socialism rooted in ethnic supremecy as the raison d’etre for his program?’
The answer is no…fascism as a political system isn’t necessarily racist, but collectivist thinking lends itself to racism, as we all know.
it’s hard to find history on the intellectual roots of Italian fascism. my gut feeling is that Mussolini’s fascism was more of a reaction to the bitter defeat the Italians suffered in WWI more than anything (a farewell to arms, while not a historically accurate account, emphasizes the fear the Germans put into Italy as they invaded. When ww2 started, the Italians would say anything to not have to fight the Germans again.)
Another interesting source of information is Spanish fascism prior to ww2. If I am correct (which is rarely the case) in Francis Spain, anti-semistim and racist attitudes may have been prevelant, but we’re not a fundamental basis to the cause of the Spanish crown.
Full disclosure, I have been drinking.