Page - 59 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 05/02

Aligning himself with a comparably Nietzschean view of democracy “not only as a degenerating form of political organisation, but as equivalent to a de- generating, a waning, type of man, as involving his mediocritizing and depre- cation”, Nordenholt champions the rebellion against a morality that promotes the “herding instinct”. He does so by elevating himself and those who work directly under him above the societal “herd”.43 Nietzsche contends that equali- ty stifles the most capable – those who are potentially “higher types”. Schacht summarises this perspective in Nietzsche’s work, stating that Nietzsche “dis- cerns an order of rank amongst human beings” and “acknowledges their differ- ent capabilities”.44 Hence, Nietzsche contends that for humankind to develop it is essential to “maintain the order of rank in the world”, and to even widen the differences between the strata.45 Thus “higher types” can only be fostered when their “separation from the herd is sufficiently great to establish a ‘pathos of distance’, a ‘disdain for the concerns of the herd’.”46 Whereas for Nietzsche “higher types” are usually overcome by the medioc- rity of the herd, Nordenholt facilitates their elevation. Both prior to the blight (by sponsoring those he included in his “gang”) and during the catastrophe, his primary role involves cultivating “the greatest possibilities among the few who have it in them to be exceptions to the rule”.47 In the future that Nordenholt is creating, there is no place for the “mediocre” man. The union leaders Nor- denholt identifies as unwelcome in the Clyde Valley, the religious zealot that distracts the population from work by offering them false hopes and whom Nordenholt has killed and the government officials who offer platitudes to gain popularity with the masses are all identified with the “slave morality” associat- ed with the “herding animal”.48 Their removal from the Nitrogen Area reflects the end of what the novel presents as the perpetuation of the “mediocre man”, and is essential to the way the book achieves its wish-fulfilment transfiguration. Nietzsche argued that a morality that endorsed the herding instinct encour- aged a false sense of universalism, tending to promote pity for the weak rather than respect for the strong. That is, it endorses the morality that praises medi- ocre men and says, “be like them! Become mediocre!”49 For Nietzsche, the only hope for future progress comes instead from a will to power: To teach man the future of humanity as his WILL, as depending on human will, and to make preparation for vast hazardous enterprises and collective attempt to put an 43 Nietzsche 2002, 5:203. 44 Schacht 2002, 327. 45 Nietzsche 2002, 7:219. Also see Schacht 2002, 327. 46 Schacht 2002, 338. 47 Schacht 2002, 386. 48 Connington 1923, 92; 258; 51. 49 Nietzsche 2002, 9:262. Totalitarian Opportunism | 59www.jrfm.eu 2019, 5/2, 51–68