Escape from freedom

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http://www.alternet.org/visions/will-am ... -it-coming

"If the economic, social and political conditions on which the whole process of human individuation depends, do not offer a basis for the realization of individuality … while at the same time people have lost those ties which gave them security, this lag makes freedom an unbearable burden. It becomes identical with doubt, with a kind of life which lacks meaning and direction. Powerful tendencies arise to escape from this kind of freedom into submission or some kind of relationship to man and the world which promises relief from uncertainty, even if it deprives the individual of his freedom."

Erich Fromm discussing the rise of fascism in Germany in the 20th century.

Yep....hyperinflation can do this to a populace.

Economics is certainly part of it, but it is also the loss of certainty, even if it is cettainty of unpleasantness.

Part of what happened was a transition from a life where society determined your path to one where the individual was responsible for the decision. Where if your life was inpleasant you were responsible. Fascism offers freedom from that responsibility. There is always someone else responsible and someone who will provide certainty, even if they can not make things better as promosed.