This reminds me of Roger Griffin's definition of fascism in his book 'The Nature of Fascism' - emphasising that at it's core fascism sells palingenesis - the rebirth of the Nation in accordance with the National myth. So there's definitely a sense of quasi-religious euphoria in tearing down anything and everything that can be rationalised as in the way of this unobtainable nationalist future.
I think you're correct that much of Trump's appeal is the transgressive nature of MAGA (the racists are certainly coming out of the wood work these days). While not really germane to your essay, have you read Jünger's A GERMAN OFFICER IN OCCUPIED PARIS? So jarring to read the cultured memoirs of the same man who wrote In Stahlgewittern.
I have not. Thanks for the rec. I did read his memoire of his time in the French Foreign Legion. I liked it, but it didn't leave a mark, so to speak. He's an interesting guy. I recall reading that he was bothered by the persecution of his Jewish former comrades in arms and was not on-board with Nazi antisemitism. That makes him a much better man in my eyes than Pétain, who was horribly unsympathetic to Jewish WW1 vets who wrote to him begging for protection.
Assuming he is reliable, he hears rumors as to the camps in Poland as early as March of '42. He remarks that if the rumors are true, it will be "unremitting infamy." Just ordered JAPAN AT WAR - thanks for that rec!
There's shocking stuff in there. Like a Jap mil intel guy (Kempeitei) who's hobby is cutting off heads. Complains that his government issue sword loses its edge after only a few heads, so he has his family send him an heirloom sword that keeps its edge after many more heads. Kempeitei were sick souls. Also stuff regarding the medical units in China that did bio warfare experiments, and they'd teach how to treat gunshot wounds by grabbing a Chinese person, shooting him, and then treating the wound. Seriously messed up.
This reminds me of Roger Griffin's definition of fascism in his book 'The Nature of Fascism' - emphasising that at it's core fascism sells palingenesis - the rebirth of the Nation in accordance with the National myth. So there's definitely a sense of quasi-religious euphoria in tearing down anything and everything that can be rationalised as in the way of this unobtainable nationalist future.
I think that's right. Fascism is more than simply right wing authoritarianism. There's a weird religious aspect tied to an exaltation of action.
I think you're correct that much of Trump's appeal is the transgressive nature of MAGA (the racists are certainly coming out of the wood work these days). While not really germane to your essay, have you read Jünger's A GERMAN OFFICER IN OCCUPIED PARIS? So jarring to read the cultured memoirs of the same man who wrote In Stahlgewittern.
I have not. Thanks for the rec. I did read his memoire of his time in the French Foreign Legion. I liked it, but it didn't leave a mark, so to speak. He's an interesting guy. I recall reading that he was bothered by the persecution of his Jewish former comrades in arms and was not on-board with Nazi antisemitism. That makes him a much better man in my eyes than Pétain, who was horribly unsympathetic to Jewish WW1 vets who wrote to him begging for protection.
Assuming he is reliable, he hears rumors as to the camps in Poland as early as March of '42. He remarks that if the rumors are true, it will be "unremitting infamy." Just ordered JAPAN AT WAR - thanks for that rec!
There's shocking stuff in there. Like a Jap mil intel guy (Kempeitei) who's hobby is cutting off heads. Complains that his government issue sword loses its edge after only a few heads, so he has his family send him an heirloom sword that keeps its edge after many more heads. Kempeitei were sick souls. Also stuff regarding the medical units in China that did bio warfare experiments, and they'd teach how to treat gunshot wounds by grabbing a Chinese person, shooting him, and then treating the wound. Seriously messed up.