"He believed that the values of self-sacrifice inherent in Christianity undermined the cultural development; that democracy and socialism, which treated all people equally, stifled individual creativity and genius; and that universal suffrage gave power to the masses. Therefore, it was up to exceptional individuals to take leadership. He outlined his plan for a new generation of “supermen” who “were free from sentimental inhibitions and prepared …to use violence in the building of a new, nobler world.” (Hitler was one of his most committed followers).
"Thus Spake Zarathustra" (1883-1884). Cited in Christopher, J.R., Wittet, G.G., Modern Western Civilization. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1991, 214.
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Hitler was also a huge fan of Jesus, hence all the talk of God in his autobiography and even the adoption of the Iron Cross (not the swastika) on all Nazi military vehicles. Who Hitler liked doesn't really matter.
There is no doubt that fascism failed. Fascism is precisely what this quote is talking about: the idea that there are exceptional people among us, and they they will naturally rise to the top and rule us. The problem is, while the talk of supermen grew in popularity, people kept giving birth to the same old, ordinary human beings. I don't anticipate this changing
Well, I agree with most of what you said. I would expect a "huge fan of Jesus" to actually want to obey Jesus, "The one who loves Me is the one who obeys Me," but . . .
As well, sometimes, many times, perhaps most of the time, the only exceptional thing about those who rule us is their exceptional ability to get us to want them rule us.
This too will never change.
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