Against Democracy and Equality: The European New Right [Paperback]

_Against Democracy and Equality: The European New Right_ by Croatian born political scientist Tomislav Sunic, republished by The Noontide Press, is a unique book that examines some of the thinking that has issued from the pens of various European intellectuals in a postwar millieu calling themselves the "New Right". This is one of the few books in English which attempts to adequately deal with these much maligned individuals and present their ideas to the general public in the United States.

In the preface by conservative libertarian Paul Gottfried, he notes that it is often difficult to know what to make of the European New Right intellectuals. While they claim to disdain both democracy and equality, they remain firmly opposed to both the economism of American capitalism and the totalitarianism of Soviet communism (this book was originally written before the fall of the Soviet Union). These thinkers often trace the roots of the egalitarian principle to what they refer to as "Judeo-Christianity", emphasizing instead the pagan practices of ancient Europe and opposing polytheism to monotheism. In this sense, many of the European New Right thinkers can be seen as inheritors of the legacy of Friedrich Nietzsche, whose philosophy of the Overman has proven so difficult for the modern age. However, this emphasis on neopaganism has led many of them to be delegitimized by their fellow conservatives, even those conservatives who share their disdain for American "neoconservativism". The book also begins with a foreward by David J. Stennett in which he notes the disdain of many in the New Right for modern day technologies. However, according to David Stennett, the New Right must embrace the internet and the air waves if they are to have any hope of accomplishing something.

Professor Sunic begins by contrasting the New Right with other manifestations on the political right in Europe as well as the American Old Right. In the United States, Christianity whether in its Protestant or Roman Catholic form has played a much greater role in the shaping of conservativism than among the European New Right. Many among the European New Right incorporate elements that may be thought of as "leftist" among the central tenets of their beliefs (among these the possibility of an alliance with modern "Greens" and others who oppose extreme capitalism and the myth of progress). This has made them truly revolutionary and heirs to the great tradition of the "conservative revolutionaries" whose philosophies were ransacked by Hitler. Indeed, many on the left and among the politically correct have sought to chastise the New Right by attempting to associate them with fascism (a word which apart from the regime of Benito Mussolini may have no proper meaning). Chief among the New Right thinkers are those who belong to "G.R.E.C.E.", a movement which emphasizes the Hellenic virtues. Prominent members of the New Right include Alain de Benoist of France and Michael Walker, publisher of _The Scorpion_ of England. Alain de Benoist, whose thinking emphasizes a return to pagan virtues, is perhaps the leading figure of the European New Right.

This book is divided into two sections, the first focusing on the New Right and the "conservative revolutionaries", and the second focusing on egalitarianism and the roots of the modern crisis. In the first section, Sunic devotes separate chapters to the most famous conservative revolutionaries: Carl Schmitt, Oswald Spengler, and Vilfredo Pareto, and explains how their thought came to influence New Right thinkers. In addition, thinkers such as Julius Evola and Francis Parker Yockey also play a good deal of importance for the European New Right. Sunic also explains how the New Right came to regard paganism as Europe's great heritage usurped by Christianity, although he contrasts the thinking of Roman Catholic philosopher Thomas Molnar and Alain de Benoist (both of whom are good friends and mutually supportive). The second section of this book is devoted to showing the errors in the myth of equality. Here, Sunic explains the role of genetics in revealing the inequality among men (although many in the New Right reject a strict biological determinism). The New Right also emphasizes an organic state, much in agreement with that of such economic thinkers as Othmar Spann, as opposed to the excesses of capitalism, consumerism, materialism, and Marxism. Sunic devotes a considerable amount of attention to the concept of totalitarianism, which many among the New Right rail against. This totalitarianism may take the shape of Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, or modern day liberalism (a "soft" totalitarianism according to the New Right). The book ends with separate chapters focusing on modern day liberalism (democracy and capitalism) and the Soviet Union. Sunic devoted a good deal of attention to the thinking of Zinoviev, a Soviet dissident, who attempted to explain the power of the Soviet state from within. While this aspect of the book may appear somewhat dated, overall the prophecies of those among the New Right remain sound.

This book offers a unique opportunity for American readers to become familiar with a special blend of European thought that is coming into its own. While the thinkers of the New Right have been frequently maligned, particularly by Marxists and liberals, their understanding of modern day political dilemmas proves most pertinent.

This book comprises both an apt exploration of the conservative revolutionary antecedents to Nouvelle Droite, and a relevant survey of New Right thinkers and their contemporary relevance.

Dr Sunic, a Croatian native, has written his own English translation of this work, and his English style is lively and readable.

I recommend this book for students and persons with an interest in contemporary European politics. Nouvelle Droite provides a key to understanding many of the current trends and trajectories in European politics, which will be particularly helpful to Americans.

Against Democracy and Equality: The European New Right
The third edition of Tomislav Sunic's book brings a few new things to the
table. New forewords, a nice second appendix in the form of of the
"Manifesto for a European Rennaissance" by Alain de Benoist and Charles
Champetier and a good-looking cover, adorned with the symbol of the GRECE.

The book was, when it first came out in 1990, the first extensive tract to
cover the European New Right in English, and it does that well. Major
principles, important influences from earlier thinkers (Carl Schmitt,
Vilfredo Pareto, the post-modern connection....) and controversies - all
this and more is described in easy-going, yet academic style. The New
Right's views on Islam, immigration, culture, paganism and history are
presented and discussed in an inspiring way.

Sunic's style of writing has been slightly improved from earlier editions,
most likely due to the editing of John Morgan, though it is still the same
basic book. Due to the rather low price, I think this book is well worth
investing in even if you have one of the previous editions. If you are
unfamiliar with the European New Right it is an absolute must - 'New
Culture, New Right' may in some ways be a superior book, but it lacks the
clear, easy-going style of ADAE, and as an introductory work this book
can't be beaten.