by Fabrizio Dragosei
Theorizes the role of Russia as the center of a vast empire where the return of God will take place.For many, the ideologue of Russian fascism
certainly the philosopher most often quoted by the Russian President and all his closest associates, despite Ivan Ilyin being an ardent supporter of fascism. And not only in the 1920s, when he developed his main theories, but also after the war, until his death in 1954. The fact that Ilyin, a follower of Kant and Hegel, then developed theories entirely of his own, and often by Vladimir Putin was quoted.
What the philosopher particularly likes is the idea of Russia’s secular role, of its struggle against the enemies who always want to prevent it from fulfilling its mission. Which in the end consists of establishing a kind of empire over a vast territory to allow the return of God.Complex theories, criticized by many, simplified over the years by those who only wanted to capture the aspects that most needed by Ilyin’s speculations. The historian Timothy Snyder of Yale University, who has dealt with it in detail, speaks of a “Russian fascism”. And he underlines some of the philosopher’s concepts, which the lord of the Kremlin seems to appreciate very much today: he believed that courageous men can change a weak and imperfect reality through courageous deeds.
Professor Snyder writes again: Ilyin completed his theory of fascism by concluding that Russia was the only unspoilt and weakened nation in the world. From a small region around Moscow, Russia had developed into an ideal empire. Ilyin was convinced that it had expanded without attacking anyone, despite being constantly attacked from all sides. Russia was the victim because other countries didn’t understand the virtues it was defending by acquiring more territories.
For Ilyin, Russia needed to be ruled by an undisputed and undeniable leader. The elections should only have the purpose of confirming the subordination of the people. Snyder argues that the philosopher’s vision of Russia’s return to God required the surrender not only of individuality and plurality but also of humanity. In short, in order to reach a higher goal, one can override everything. Ideas that Mussolini and Hitler certainly believed in. And that seems to be shared by some at the top of Russia today, given what is happening with the special military operation in Ukraine.
March 22, 2022 (Modification March 22, 2022 | 09:19)
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