National Socialism: Doctrine of Rancour

Three years later, when the Nazi’s invaded the Netherlands, Ter Braak would take his own life. The pamphlet went on to become his most famous work. Using Nietzsche’s theory of history as a lens, Ter Braak identified ressentiment as the inevitable consequence of idealising equality in democratic societies and, as such, the fountainhead of Nazi populism.

According to Ter Braak, humans are never equal in terms of biology and sociology. He goes on to argue that in the democratising process, where equality as an ideal collides with reality people increasingly experience inequality as an injustice, leading them to hate and to envy.

Rather than simply choosing one ideology over others, Ter Braak viewed National Socialism as the fulfilment and perversion of both democracy and socialism, and thereby the pure embodiment of the rancour inherent within the two, and within our culture as a whole. rancour must be recognised for what it is, as well as where it stems from. And yet, can equality exist without rancour?

In a world in which populist leaders are once again marketing themselves as guardians of democracy, in which political parties are playing to feelings of hatred and anger, the startling parallels and continuing relevance of Ter Braak’s lucidly human diagnosis make this essential reading for anyone looking to understand today’s political climate. It also presents a word of warning.

In the wake of its renewed importance for thinkers and the public debate, re­nowned publisher Van Oorschot has reissued a new edition.