Nietzsche and the Critique of Democratic Modernity
Krulic, Brigitte
Nietzsche and the Critique of Democratic Modernity - 2001.
11
In Nietzsche’s works, the word « individual » is defined as a counterpoint, not to « herd », but rather to hierarchical society, which Antique Greece, the caste- society of India and monarchical France constitute the archetypes which recur throughout his work. Nietzsche developed an « archaistic » concept of the individual and the community. This concept suggests an analysis of democratic modernity which is both traditional and original. Nietzsche reuses the themes of the conservative vulgate as well as diatribes against the philistine age, so common in the works of many 19th century writers. His originality, however, lies in the conceptual link he creates between democracy (both a politically liberal democracy and a legal equality for individuals) and individualism as characteristics of Christianity, whereby all individuals enjoy equal rights. Nietzsche provides a coherent image of modernity generated by equality, as the basis of Christianity and of the democratic, utilitarian approach, oriented towards an economic rationality, which engenders its own idols : nationalism, anti-Semitism, anarchism, socialism, in other words, the perverse fruits of thedisillusion with the world, which replaces hierarchical order with equalitarian lack of differentiation. His hostility towards individualism in modern societies can be explained through the culture-erasing process of a German society on its way to democracy, in which holistic structures were stronger than in France or Great Britain.
Nietzsche and the Critique of Democratic Modernity - 2001.
11
In Nietzsche’s works, the word « individual » is defined as a counterpoint, not to « herd », but rather to hierarchical society, which Antique Greece, the caste- society of India and monarchical France constitute the archetypes which recur throughout his work. Nietzsche developed an « archaistic » concept of the individual and the community. This concept suggests an analysis of democratic modernity which is both traditional and original. Nietzsche reuses the themes of the conservative vulgate as well as diatribes against the philistine age, so common in the works of many 19th century writers. His originality, however, lies in the conceptual link he creates between democracy (both a politically liberal democracy and a legal equality for individuals) and individualism as characteristics of Christianity, whereby all individuals enjoy equal rights. Nietzsche provides a coherent image of modernity generated by equality, as the basis of Christianity and of the democratic, utilitarian approach, oriented towards an economic rationality, which engenders its own idols : nationalism, anti-Semitism, anarchism, socialism, in other words, the perverse fruits of thedisillusion with the world, which replaces hierarchical order with equalitarian lack of differentiation. His hostility towards individualism in modern societies can be explained through the culture-erasing process of a German society on its way to democracy, in which holistic structures were stronger than in France or Great Britain.
Réseaux sociaux