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Leftism Revisited: from de Sade and Marx to Hitler and Pol Pot
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Communism might be in retreat in Eastern Europe, but it is only one strain of the Leftism that Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddin charts in this stunning book.
For Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddin, Leftism is the enemy of human freedom and is wedded to the ideas of materialism, centralization, and politization (among many others) - ideas that fit not only communism and national socialism, bu ...more
For Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddin, Leftism is the enemy of human freedom and is wedded to the ideas of materialism, centralization, and politization (among many others) - ideas that fit not only communism and national socialism, bu ...more
Hardcover, 520 pages
Published
March 1st 1991
by Regnery Publishing
(first published 1974)
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Start your review of Leftism Revisited: from de Sade and Marx to Hitler and Pol Pot
The author traces and critiques the development of leftism over the past six hundred or so years. For those curious about his definition of leftism, he tries to define it at the back of the book. Although I don’t agree completely with his definition of leftism, I do agree with the majority of his definition and with his critic of leftism as a virulent secularized ideology that started from the distortion of a few Christian tenets. The author believes leftism emerged around the time of the Reform
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One of my favorite books on politics. The narrative is far removed from the common history that is often taught.
The re-definition of liberalism with regard to Europe is helpful. Moreover, the descriptions of the World Wars contain insider accounts with many interesting interpretations of dramatic events in history. In particular, the demonization of Wilson's foreign policy.
Leddihn is liberal monarchist. He sees no contradiction with the traditional aristocratic structure of Europe or capitalis ...more
The re-definition of liberalism with regard to Europe is helpful. Moreover, the descriptions of the World Wars contain insider accounts with many interesting interpretations of dramatic events in history. In particular, the demonization of Wilson's foreign policy.
Leddihn is liberal monarchist. He sees no contradiction with the traditional aristocratic structure of Europe or capitalis ...more
This is an interesting book in which the author explains in detail the leftist origins of National Socialism and Communism. He metodically dissects the mentality of the left, while basically tracking everything he sees as left, back to the French Revolution and its consequences.
On the other hand, he supported the monarchy as the only true "rightist" government. Claiming that monarchy provides more personal liberty than democracy. His entire philosophy rests on the foundation of a transcendent wo ...more
On the other hand, he supported the monarchy as the only true "rightist" government. Claiming that monarchy provides more personal liberty than democracy. His entire philosophy rests on the foundation of a transcendent wo ...more
Brilliant but, I am afraid, with some flaws and biases. I am the type to consider that no criticism of the political left is too harsh, but the author is in the habit of making essentialistic claims about a lot of things (he explains the appeal of Hitler to the german lutherans by saying that Luther had an „authoritative” mind). The facts are straight, no omission that I am aware of and if you ignore the essentialistic claims (he does not try look ”objective” anyway), it is a very good and instr
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This is a result of deep research of a bright and extremely knowledgeable mind.
Beyond its 1,200+ bibliographic references, the author has vast in-person experience (he was born 1909, in Austria). This book will be mind-blowing for most of those who believe blindly in college history books and teachers.
Can't wait to dive into his other related book "Liberty & Equality". ...more
Beyond its 1,200+ bibliographic references, the author has vast in-person experience (he was born 1909, in Austria). This book will be mind-blowing for most of those who believe blindly in college history books and teachers.
Can't wait to dive into his other related book "Liberty & Equality". ...more
K-L provides the reader with a treasure trove of arcana about European politics and history of the modern era, which compensates for his weaknesses (primarily, his belief that constitutional monarchies and free markets are the highest achievements humanity has made).
See also The Intelligent American's Guide to Europe, by the same author. ...more
See also The Intelligent American's Guide to Europe, by the same author. ...more
Excellent.
misanthropic pro-theocrat, pro-aristocrat author basically argues that NSDAP was leftwing because, yaknow, the party name has "socialist" in it. Good job!
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A bit of a nut, but I think we have to love him 'cause he's clearly an ally. He needs an editor.
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Erik Maria Ritter von Kuehnelt-Leddihn was an Austrian Catholic nobleman and socio-political theorist. Describing himself as an "extreme conservative arch-liberal" or "liberal of the extreme right", Kuehnelt-Leddihn often argued that majority rule in democracies is a threat to individual liberties, and declared himself a monarchist and an enemy of all forms of totalitarianism. Described as "A Walk
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