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From: jaromil <jaromil at dyne.org> Date: Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 9:04 PM Subject: <nettime> Fascist developments in Italy To: nettime-l at kein.org
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re all,
It can only be with condescending myopia that we look at the
Italian government pretending nothing really is happening, that is
all the result of a democratic process and it can unfold as such,
confident that the western democracy will stand the blow.
The reality is hard to digest, but Italy is incubating fascism.
Fascism in the most literal form ever since the liberation in 1945,
let the definition given in [29]Der Fascismus by Ignazio Silone be
an historical reference of what I'm talking about. This is not just
a light word: fascism is declared outlaw in the constitution of
most European states, but right now neglecting its existence for
the sake of a Government's integrity, might unfold even more
tragedies in a close future.
The signals are clear, evidences are collected at a worrying rate
by [30]Amnesty International: racist aggressions and intolerance
towards migrants are denounced in the [31]AI report for 2009,
international obligations to human rights are breached at
governmental policy level.
OTOH it is nowadays a clear benefit for Italian citizens to be
aloud to move in Europe: a growing number of italian "political
refugees" are approaching neighbour states, trying to free
themselves from the non-sense of a prolonged state crisis.
Italy is a founding state of Europe, thanks to inspiring minds like
[32]Altiero Spinelli or [33]Giuseppe Mazzini, prisoners of fascism
in the WWII or earlier dissidents exiled by non-secular
institutions and monarchies. While we confront the present
situation with the constitutional principles of the Italian state,
our Mediterranean nation is profiling a sad paradox.
Increasing [34]racist aggressions to ethnical minorities are
configuring a theatre of conflict characterized by well
recognisable nazi-socialist tints, at least that's what [35]the
uniforms of the new [36]Guardia Nazionale Italiana suggest.
The GSI is a controversial initiative about civilians in
para-military uniforms patrolling cities to fight criminality, an
organisation publicly affiliated to extreme right-wing groups that
sets its own goal in "promoting and divulging the Italian story,
languages and traditions, with particular reference to the Roman
Empire".
A senior prosecutor in Milan, [37]Armando Spataro, has just opened
the investigations on possible "apology of fascism" for the GNI,
right after the organisation was presented in Milano, hoping that
its operations can be legitimated by a new security package to be
discussed in Parliament.
What did catch most of my attention as a succulent semiotic
artifact disclosing the imaginary of rising populist xenophobe
rhetoric in Europe is the symbol of the [38]Black Sun and its
supposedly occult origins, adopted on the arm-band of the GNI
uniforms.
This possible variation of the swastika fibula is found in the
marble mosaic decorating the Obergruppenführersaal of the
[39]Wewelsburg Castle a [40]former nazi concentration camp and SS
headquarter. A topos of the Teutonic sovereign through centuries,
even during the 17th century the castle played a key role in the
witchcraft trials sweeping across Europe, presided by the Catholic
Prince Bishops: local women accused of witchcraft were held in
Wewelsburg's dungeons and confessions were extracted under torture
in a "courtroom".
An additional reference chosen by the GSI is the Hindu myth of
[41]Kali Yuga, a potential link to right-wing fundamentalism in
India, believing that human civilization degenerated spiritually in
a current "Dark Age". The "Kali" of Kali Yuga is not be confused
with the goddess Kali, but refers to the daemon Kali, a symbol for
strife, discord, quarrel or contention. Following the Kali Yuga
interpretation, sin in our age will increase exponentially, virtue
will fade and cease to flourish and rulers will become
unreasonable; governments will levy taxes unfairly and no longer
see it as their duty to promote spirituality or to protect their
subjects: they will become a danger to the world. Let me add this
is something happening to prime minister Berlusconi right now, at
least looking at him from the more neutral lens of European media.
The "occultist" memes of the nationalist xenophobic movements in
Europe deal with delusional feelings, a moralist and conservative
political analysis as well an heritage of hatred against those who
are perceived as responsible for the demonized cultural decay:
homosexuals, gypsy nomads, bohemiens, libertines and of course
migrants, corrupting with their cultural luggage (and lower life
standard, by necessity) the idea of an Italian pure and "decent"
civilization.
Digging back into ancient Roman history, we could argue that the
choice for a model that is more familiar to Italians could have
fallen over the historical figure of [42]Marcus Porcius Cato, also
known as The Censor (O tempora! o mores!). But the mythopoeic
operation of GSI (and the MSI and Lega Nord "political" parties
behind it) is arguably very limited: it recycles WWII myths
allegedly referring to a castle which, back in 9 AD, witnessed the
Battle of the Teutoburg, when Germanic tribes in alliance ambushed
and destroyed three Roman legions, setting along the Rhine river an
historical boundary between the German and Roman Empires.
Most probably the "occultist" attribute of the Black Sun is just a
cheap alibi in the rushed choice of a coat of arms that can at the
same time be familiar to European neo-nazi movements as well
presentable to the scrutiny of critics.
To conclude and back to present day, we are left with a serious
warning by former foreign affair minister Massimo D'Alema,
[43]warning Italy about possible upcoming shocks: just a day before
Berlusconi pays his first visit to the White House, declaring that
he'll be [44]good looking and with a proper tan, he is fit to meet
Barack Obama today at 21 CET to discuss over Fiat-Chrysler,
European relationships with Africa and of course the upcoming G8
summit to be held in Abruzzo.
It's "almost a pity" we can't say anymore God Save the Queen,
should we opt for an "informal" Al-Hamdulillah?
29. http://openlibrary.org/b/OL4206848M/Fascismus
30. http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/italy
32. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altiero_Spinelli
33. http://www.ohio.edu/chastain/ip/mazzini.htm
34. http://temporeale.libero.it/libero/fdg/2880613.html
35. http://www.repubblica.it/2006/05/gallerie/politica/divise-guardia/1.html
36. http://www.guardianazionaleitaliana.org/
37. http://www.statewatch.org/cia/documents/spataro-CV-1febr-2006.pdf
38. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sun_(occult_symbol)
39. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wewelsburg
40. http://www.philipcoppens.com/wewelsburg.html
41. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_Yuga
42. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cato_the_Elder
- --
jaromil, dyne.org developer, http://jaromil.dyne.org
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