Nietzsche and Fascism and Hobbes and Liberalism

Essay by ivzivkovicCollege, UndergraduateA+, April 2004

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Can Nietzsche be linked to the growth of Fascism?

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was born in 1844 to a very religious Lutheran family. He was to follow in his father's steps and was set to become a clergyman himself. After discovering philosophy he decided against theology and philology and took up philosophy after transferring to the University of Leipzig. Nietzsche's theories were abstract but they touched on religion, politics, human motivation, morals and the idea of an ideal man. He maintained that the Universe is always changing and it is never constant, and this can be seen in many of his theories but most importantly concerning Uberman or Overman. Many have misinterpreted his work after his death, it was argued that he promoted Nazi ideals and that Nietzsche was an anti-Semite as well. Nazism is Fascism ugly brother, the only difference between these two forms of government or philosophies is that Nazism believes that racial purity is second to nothing.

Fascism came about in early 20th century and was "invented" by Benito Mussolini, and his theories were later revised and used by Adolph Hitler in his quest for power in Pre-Nazi Germany. Nietzsche discussed the superiority of the few over the many and the belief that it is the few, the powerful that should rule. He also proposed that an Overman existed who is not affected by the society encompassing him. These are the ideas that the Fascist and Nazis alike exploited the most, due to the belief that they were superior. Nietzsche was a stern anti-Socialist, he spoke against German Nationalism and he praised the Jews for their spirit in his writings so any interpretation of his writing that suggests that he was a supporter of what Mussolini and Hitler were prophesizing would be absolutely wrong.

Fascism, as mentioned before,