Thread by @Teri_Kanefield

Some people prefer hierarchy.

For Ilyin (the fascist philosopher who inspires Putin), the nation is like a body. The citizens are the cells. Each must remain in its place. Foot cells don't try to become brain cells.

For Ilyin, fascism = order.

Democracy & communism = chaos.

https://twitter.com/QuantaWave/status/1203767851565375494

Ilyin disliked the middle class, which was always striving for social advancement. He believed this fractured society and created chaos.

He thought the rulers at the top should rule, everyone else must remain in their place. He thus advocated oligarchy.

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For Ilyin, the task of the oligarchs is to preserve the status quo, which means preserving their own wealth and power, and keeping others in their places.

But you can’t tell the people THAT. So you tell them a good story.

You tell them the oligarchs are “redeemers.”

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The Leader-Redeemer creates a “mystical connection” with the nation and people, and earns loyalty by protecting the people from “enemies.”

The fascist way to power is to promise to restore the nation to its mythic greatness.

Make America Great Again follows this formula.

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My source for all of this is @TimothyDSnyder. Pretty sure it's all in here.⤵️

I've also listened to a ton of his on-line lectures, so the exact source blurs for me.

But this scholar who said all of this is definitely Timothy Snyder.

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