1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910453602703321

Autore

Staudenmaier Peter <1965->

Titolo

Between occultism and Nazism : anthroposophy and the politics of race in the fascist era / / by Peter Staudenmaier

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Leiden, Netherlands : , : Koninklijke Brill, , 2014

©2014

ISBN

90-04-27015-9

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (420 p.)

Collana

Aries Book Series : Texts and Studies in Western Esotericism, , 1871-1405 ; ; Volume 17

Disciplina

299/.935094309043

Soggetti

National socialism and occultism

Fascism and culture - Italy

Electronic books.

Germany Politics and government 1933-1945

Italy Politics and government 1922-1945

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Preliminary Material -- Introduction: Spiritual Science and the Modern Occult Revival -- 1 Germany’s Savior: Rudolf Steiner on Race and Redemption -- 2 The Politics of the Unpolitical: German Anthroposophy in Theory and Practice Before 1933 -- 3 Accommodation, Collaboration, Persecution: Anthroposophy in the Shadow of National Socialism, 1933–1945 -- 4 The German Essence Shall Heal the World: Ideological Affinities between Anthroposophy and Nazism -- 5 Education for the National Community? Waldorf Schools in the Third Reich -- 6 The Nazi Campaign against Occultism -- 7 The Spirit of the Race and the Soul of the Nation: Anthroposophy and the Rise of Fascism in Italy -- 8 Spiritual Racism in Power: Italian Anthroposophists and the Fascist Racial Laws, 1938–1945 -- Conclusion: Occultism and Nazism in Historical Perspective -- Sources and Bibliography -- Index.

Sommario/riassunto

The relationship between Nazism and occultism has been an object of fascination and speculation for decades. Peter Staudenmaier’s Between Occultism and Nazism provides a detailed historical examination centered on the anthroposophist movement founded by Rudolf Steiner.



Its surprising findings reveal a remarkable level of Nazi support for Waldorf schools, biodynamic farming, and other anthroposophist initiatives, even as Nazi officials attempted to suppress occult tendencies. The book also includes an analysis of anthroposophist involvement in the racial policies of Fascist Italy. Based on extensive archival research, this study offers rich material on controversial questions about the nature of esoteric spirituality and alternative cultural ideals and their political resonance.