From “Evil: The Crime Against Humanity,” by Jerome Kohn
The “total domination of man” was radically evil, in Arendt’s eyes, not only because it was unprecedented but because it did not make sense. She asked: Why should lust for power, which from the beginning of recorded history has been considered the political and social sin par excellence, suddenly transcend all previously known limitations of self-interest and utility and attempt not simply to dominate men as they are but to change their very nature; not only to kill whoever is in the way of further power accumulation but also innocent and harmless bystanders, and this even when such murder is an obstacle, rather than an advantage, for the accumulation of power?
(see “Ideology and Propaganda”)There is no ready answer to that question. In Hitler’s case it is well known that his unrelenting dehumanization and destruction of those who presented no threat to him hindered his ability to fight effectively against his real enemies at the end of World War II. What is the point of dominating men at any cost, not as they are but in order “to change their very nature”? If it is for the sake of “the consistency of a lying world order,” as she went on to suggest, what is the point of a system that even if it succeeded in destroying the human world would not end in the creation of a “thousand-year Reich” or “Messianic Age” but only in self-destruction? Arendt, to be sure, never thought the suicidal “victory” of totalitarianism likely. That would first require global rule by one totalitarian power, and in that regard she believed that Hitler’s invasion of Russia in 1941 was symbolically significant in spite of his pact with Stalin two years earlier and in spite of the two leaders’ mutual admiration which she emphasized. Moreover, she saw that “no system has ever been less capable [than totalitarianism] of gradually expanding its sphere of influence and holding on to its conquests.” Most important of all, because plurality is the inescapable condition of human existence–“not Man but men inhabit this planet”–Arendt increasingly came to consider farfetched the notion that a single totalitarian regime could ever destroy the entire world.”
Sadly totalitariansism is viewed by many in a cartoonish way. Uniformed men ordering you about directly and visions of nazi germany and concentration camps. It has many faces and manisfestations. The corporate cube worker afraid of taking time off, the unemployed faterh fearing arrest due to child support, the background and creidt checks lest you be different. Exlaining to an employer a gap in your resume, having to file and pay taxes even if you no longer live in the country, not being able to speak opensly, bein told how to thing and speak–pc multi culti. Work harder and you will have rewards. Trust us. You can portest but only in free speach zones, no privacy and you can be arrested and held at will…..on it goes
When it becomes the mindset that it be farfetched the notion that a single totalitarian regime could ever destroy the entire world, is the day the world must prepare for that exact manifestation.
Well said Doug.
My thoughts exactly…
I read Arendt years ago, at about the same time I read another book on the subject from an objectivist perspective, Peikoff’s “The Ominous Parallels.” At the time I preferred the latter, but I was probably more of a positivist at the time.
PS, I agree with Doug’s opinion too. Its unfathomable to me that more people don’t see it looming. Oh wait, I’m a crackpot…that’s why.
I’m with Arendt. There is indeed a “plurality” of interests that just happen to currently coincide a lot (50% of the voting population in the USA?). But this coincidence seems to be fading. Hitler, like Bush, wasn’t the head of a totalitarian regime–he was the product of a “plural” totalitarian culture–the people got what they asked for. (Call me a naive optimist, but for all it’s flaws and evils, I don’t think humanity would tolerate global destruction :b.)
Wait, as our country dances within the balance of insolvency, and the subsequent necessity of a global realignment of the “capitalist” system comes due…As the uber elite begin to manufacture, and brainwash the gullible public for the global need for one currency in order to “fix” the debt laden issues of our global economic society, we will find their only means of solving their own greed, and power hunger is the need of a totalitarian system.
…and I’m an optimist…
and the sheep will follow. See (Bush being elected twice – and Geitner and Summers still hangin around)
oh, and there is no one prosecuting the previous administration? WTF?
Lila,
Always a pleasure. I so enjoy your blog. Just a note for your blogroll of The Banterer’s new address is http://thebanterer.blogspot.com
Have a great week!