Gin’s Reviews > The Fear of Freedom > Status Update

‘The despair of the human automaton is fertile soil for the political purposes of Fascism.’

Fromm really knows how to turn a phrase.

“We are informed of the individual name of the railroad clerk we buy our tickets from; handbags, playing cards, and portable radios are "personalized", by having the initials of the owner put on them. All this indicates the hunger for "difference" and yet these are almost the last vestiges of individuality that are left. Modern man is starved for life.”

As relevant when he wrote it as it is a 100 years later.

Under “Automaton Conformity” ‘… the individual ceases to be himself; he adopts entirely the kind of personality offered to him by cultural pattern; and he therefore become exactly as all others are and as they expect him to me.’

A good summary here of what he had covered in the pre ending chapters. Hostility of the middle class - unable to enjoy life as they would like and envious against those who can - repression of desires as leading to destructive tendencies manifesting consequently?

“Once man was ready to become nothing but the means for the glory of a God who represented neither justice nor love, he was sufficiently prepared to accept the rôle of a servant to the economic machine - and eventually a “Führer”.”

Protestantism and the link between Capitalism and Authoritarianism - submission to a force bigger than the individual - the economy or an authoritarian leader like Hitler.

Sounds like the MAGA folks, for which they readily submit to Trump and hope to share and bask in his glory. MAGa substituted the Christian god for Trump. Fromm’s analysis is every bit as relevant today, especially in present day America.