Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher considered the most brilliant thinker during the second half of the 19th century, favored strongman rule and was dismissive of the burgeoning socialist and trade union movements in Europe at that time.
He discussed two conflicting tendencies evident in pursuing political power, both relevant today as we hear the rhetoric used by the leading candidates in the November presidential election. Reflecting on Greek mythology, Nietzsche identified their revered gods Apollo and Dionysius, sons of Zeus, the top deity on Mount Olympus, as revealing a historical division in the struggle for political power and importance.
In this model, Apollo is the good guy, representing the rational and thoughtful approach to dealing with the inevitable clash of interests that arises in every community. All conflicts must be resolved through negotiation and persuasion; reaching a consensus is central to settling contentious disputes. Sun and light are the apt symbols of this approach.
The Harris/Walz campaign has a strong Apollonian appeal. Harris and Walz regularly explain their messages in optimistic terms, stressing that a hopeful future is central to their philosophy.
On the other hand, Dionysius has a very different worldview. He lauds character traits that thrive on irrationality, indiscipline, and unbridled behavior. The symbols associated with this god, the opposite of his brother, are darkness and conflict.
In this approach, lying is not part of a desperate expedient but one of the ways that the Great Man demonstrates his indifference to conventional morality and, hence, provides a clear display of his superiority. In the Dionysian world, untruthfulness is interpreted as a possible indicator of greatness.
Many Americans are understandably enraged at this kind of immoral thinking and behavior. However, we must keep in mind that nearly 60% of countries today are ruled by despots who are much more in tune with Dionysius than any version of democracy.
Nietzsche did not take sides between the political approaches of the two gods, but in his reflections on the acquisition of government authority, he doubted the efficacy of democratic structures, and he seemed to look favorably at blue blood aristocrats pressing the buttons of power.
While the Apollonian philosophy fits easily with the Democratic campaign in this election, Republicans are performing well with a much sourer and, they would claim, down-to-earth version of political reality. Donald Trump preaches in Dionysian terms that America is in the doldrums with corrupt leadership that is incapable of matching the big powers in Moscow and Beijing.
Also, at a dinner with some of his staunchest and richest donors, he launched into a bitter harangue about his personal grievances, talking like he should be playing golf and not worrying about fundraising. He made it clear that supporters, including big donors, need to appreciate his greatness more.
Polls show that dissatisfaction with immigration is one of the main concerns of American voters in the upcoming election. Pointing to the outsider, especially the marginalized ones, as the source of our problems must be the oldest trope in the book. For Trump, gathering millions of these alleged miscreants into huge detention centers will somehow help to mitigate this situation!
I just finished reading a wonderful book titled “Plentiful Country” by Tyler Anbinder about the treatment of the waves of Irish people who came to New York between 1850 and 1900. They were mostly treated like vagabonds, without rights, and consigned to the bottom of the barrel with Black people.
The same story applies to Italians, Poles, and Jews when they arrived first. Some of the descendants of all these European migrant groups, now applauding anti-immigrant rhetoric, have set aside their family histories, disregarding the denigration and prejudice that their forebears endured.
In William Wordsworth’s memorable words in one of his sonnets: “We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon.”
Mr. Trump has descended to demeaning current immigrants, especially from South American and African countries, by making the ignominious assertion that they are genetically inferior – based on thoroughly discredited thinking used by Hitler in promoting his Master Race theories.
Abortion remains a divisive topic among sincere people in American public discourse. Close to 65% of citizens approve of a woman’s right to choose, and a clear majority want the restoration of the rights that prevailed before Roe v Wade was rescinded. In the midterm elections in 2022 this issue, more than any other, helped Democrats. Will the November vote be similarly influential in favor of the incumbent party?
Pope Francis equated his disgust at the ongoing Trumpian denigration of immigrants with his hatred of current abortion laws in America. He concluded with the famous adage from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” of “a plague on both your houses.” The pope calls on Catholics in America to choose the lesser of two evils.
We can only guess at Francis’ irate reaction when he was told that the man who diminished poor legal Haitian immigrants by identifying them as barbaric pet eaters was the invited top speaker at a recent major Catholic function in New York.
Since the election of the Biden/Harris ticket in 2020, the high inflation felt by families has hurt the Democrats in every state. However, recent statistics show that cost increases are down to around 2%, and employment numbers have surged during the last two years. Reports also reveal positive wage increases for workers, and the record numbers on Wall Street will bolster many parents’ investments in their children’s college education, as well as enhancing a nest egg for their own retirement.
How will veterans vote this time? These are men and women who are highly regarded in the wider community because of their service in our country’s uniform. Trump found a way to avoid service in Vietnam and has spoken disparagingly of veterans as losers.
He mocked John McCain’s disability and diminished his heroism as a prisoner for five and a half years in a Hanoi jail. He also disrespects anyone with a disability. Will these factors impact the voting preferences on November 5th?
I can imagine the tension in the shades of Mount Olympus as election day nears. Apollo is plugging away for the rational candidate in this pivotal American election, while his brother Dionysius, believing that might is right, is cheering on the rough diamond living in Mar-a-Lago.
Gerry O'Shea blogs at wemustbetalking.com
