Communism and Fascism employed authoritarian models of control and attempted to force their populations to adapt particular behaviors. Although initially successful, the medium to long term prospects for creating such a totalitarian superstructure were poor and each failed (or is failing). — synthesis
(emphasis is mine)That the manufacture of consent is capable of great refinements no one, I think, denies. The process by which public opinions arise is certainly no less intricate than it has appeared in these pages, and the opportunities for manipulation open to anyone who understands the process are plain enough. . . . [a]s a result of psychological research, coupled with the modern means of communication, the practice of democracy has turned a corner. A revolution is taking place, infinitely more significant than any shifting of economic power.... Under the impact of propaganda, not necessarily in the sinister meaning of the word alone, the old constants of our thinking have become variables. It is no longer possible, for example, to believe in the original dogma of democracy; that the knowledge needed for the management of human affairs comes up spontaneously from the human heart. Where we act on that theory we expose ourselves to self-deception, and to forms of persuasion that we cannot verify. It has been demonstrated that we cannot rely upon intuition, conscience, or the accidents of casual opinion if we are to deal with the world beyond our reach. — Public Opinion, Chapter XV (1922)
(emphasis is mine)All this was inspired by the principle—which is quite true within itself—that in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods.
It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying. — Mein Kampf, vol. I, ch. X (1925)
We will stop the steal! — DJT, since December 2020
I hope Mike is going to do the right thing. If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election. He has the absolute right to do it.
We won it by a landslide. This was no close election.
They rigged an election. They rigged it like never before. — DJT, January 6, 2021
All this was inspired by the principle—which is quite true within itself—that in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods.
It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying.
— Mein Kampf, vol. I, ch. X (1925)
(emphasis is mine) — 180 Proof
So, what might the lessons of the 20th century be? — Bitter Crank
Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope. — Freewheelin' Franklin
I am sure the events of the 20th century will be debated for centuries to come, but I put this out there to draw a parallel to present day events and the resurfacing of extremism (this time from the left). — synthesis
Are you living in a parallel reality? — Echarmion
Can you give me a list of all states taken over in the 21st century by right-wing and left-wing extremists respectively? Because all the examples I can think of are right-wing takeovers: Russia, Turkey, Hungary, Egypt (after the revolution, and now again after the coup). And all the really endangered democracies are endangered from the right as well: the US, Brasil, Poland. — Echarmion
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.