THE SCHOOL FOR DICTATORS
37
and there can also be Fascism without corporations. The essence of
Fascism does not lie in any of the institutions it may create in one
country or may not create in another. Hitler stated this clearly in
a speech he made to the Bavarian monarchists in the spring of
1922:
"The state form arises from the intimate nature of a people, ·from
necessities that are so elementary and powerful that in days to come
they
will
be understood by every single individual,
if
only Germany
is
once united and free."
A
year later he came out for a "real German
people's state," that "would be first the German republic" even
if
"an emperor or a king were to be at its head." Fascism is compatible
with a monarchy or a republic, with a parliament or with corpora–
tions.
Institutions have no value by themselves but only according to
the regimes in which they flourish, and in a Fascist state everything
is
Fascist. The only thing with which Fascism cannot be reconciled
is
clear
ideas, and since these do not grow by themselves, like
grass
on
the hillside, but are always the result of discussion between think–
ing
persons, the only thing with which Fascism is incompatible is dis–
cussion. You must avoid discussion, Mr.
W.,
like the devil holy
water.
MR.
w.
And
if
I
am
challenged to a discussion and invited to give my
opinion on an important question?
\
THOMAS THE CYNIC
You
will
reply 'that no one can prevent you from fulfilling the
mission entrusted to you by destiny.
MR.
w.
And if they ask me what my mission is?
THOMAS THE CYNIC
You will reply that it is to save the country. "The country
must
and will
be
saved," you will say. "Nothing will prevent me from
aving
my country. No one can oppose destiny. That, brothers, is my
mision."
MR.
w.
And
if
they ask me details about my mission?
THOMAS THE CYNIC
You will reply, "My mission is to save the country. Destiny has
mtrusted me with that mission," and you can add that that is all you
llave
to say to politicians, because your mission will be accomplished
IIDOilg
the masses.
PROFESSOR PICKUP
I haven't heard anything so absurd for a long time. Do you
.muaJy
maintain that Fascism has achieved power anywhere by be–
mg
in
such a fashion?
