This is a point of view from my own perspective, more so Nietzschean than the typical Traditionalism common among Folkish types.
Folkism is inherently about identity. Per my personal definition of 'leftism,' it is about oneness & the opposition to identity. The tendency to want things to be the same. Some things that come to mind which directly affected the primordial Folkish worldview are Christianity, which is universal & evangelical, & (original) nationalism, which sought to wipe away regional differences in culture, language, etc.
These sorts of thought processes are very 'top-down,' so to speak, meaning they will start at the broadest identities & disparage the "lesser" ones. Examples, "there's only one race, the human race" & "we're all Americans." Folkishness is about the opposite, taking a more Organicist & 'bottom-up' view that starts at the smallest levels of identity & follows them upward to the higher levels. A good example is Communist ideology, which is very humanist & egalitarian, contrasted to ideologies like (classical) Liberalism which start at the individual. Ideologies such as National Socialism (which was formed in part by the preexisting Volkische movement) also start at the individual, but see the higher levels of identity as unique organisms. Meaning, a family is made of its members, a clan of its families, etc.
All these levels of identity are formulated based on the shared characteristics of its components. The nation is the way that is (culture, values, etc.) because of the shared identity of its components. Families are made up of generally similar individuals, with common experiences & genetics, and this can be extrapolated to the highest levels. Just as a body is determined by its cells, a nation is determined by its individuals.
Folkishness can best be described as the opposite of the "globalist/humanist" tendency. The idea that everyone should ultimately be the same with shared characteristics. From this, we can build up to other shared identities which allows for shared identity along racial, ethnic, & cultural lines. Rather than emphasizing the "common good," it emphasizes the closest identities to the individual, starting with the family & growing outwards.
As for ideology, it's a spook as Stirner would say. It was of no importance prior to the 17th century. Ideology is inseparable from religion, worldview. These things are determined by genetics, the ideologies that arise from certain peoples were inevitable. Just as indigenous religions (such as paganism) are reflective of the people themselves. For example, the difference between protestantism & catholicism are very similar to the differences between Germanic & Roman paganism even after a century of separation. Marxism closely resembles the lifestyle of Eastern European Ashkenazis, which was Marx's heritage. Just as a tiger freed from a zoo will fall into its natural instincts, so too will any people.
Good thoughts - to push back on one point you make.
" nationalism, which sought to wipe away regional differences in culture, language, etc."
Strong and robust regional identities and differences persisted long into the era of Nationalism especially within England and did not preclude those people from also having a sense of English national identity. If anything destroyed regional identity it was the collapse of economic opportunity in many areas that pulled people towards larger and larger towns and cities that can function as culture shredders.
The same is true in many European countries, French regional identity is still relatively strong.
This is very true but not quite what I was referring to. The original nationalism, which came from the French Revolution, had the expressed purpose of leveling out the regional identities of that country. Similar things happened in Germany, though this was less intentional. It's very similar to what organizations like the EU or UN have attempted at a grander scale.
It should be noted that this was a very different time from our own, & modern nationalism has very different goals. Modern nationalism has the opposite tendency as the offspring of the French Revolution have evolved towards humanism, globalism, etc.
I understand that the lyrics of "Deutschland, Deutschland, ueber alles" ("Germany, Germany, over all") actually referred to holding the nation higher in affection than its local regions.
When it was originally popularized yes. Meant to emphasize the importance of a unified Germany rather than specific constituencies like Bavaria or the Ruhr.
Later on, particularly after WW1, the sentiment changed & it was meant more chauvinistically & targeted towards other countries.
Right. Which goes with your point that nationalism was originally (19th century) a "left" ideology that levelled people within the national polity, and only later developed the outward-facing identity chauvinism that we commonly attribute to it today.
Thanks for your interesting article. If I can add something as an American:
Liberals who vote for mass non-white migration are folkish themselves. In 94% liberal Washington, DC, the price for a house in Upper Caucasia, NW quadrant, is twice as expensive as a similar one in vibrant SE quadrant. Same distance to the federal triangle. Therefore, liberals are folkish, at least in the States.
Liberals with "Hate has no Home Here" signs in their front yards live in all-white neighborhoods in order to battle, heroically I guess, what President Biden called the greatest threat to the country – white supremacy. How brave.
‘There is a growing concern among young men that maybe DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] is going too far," Alice Evans, a senior lecturer at King's College, said to The Guardian. Some men "question if women's gains are coming at the expense of them."’
I have lots to add, but I'd rather you explore my many articles on folkism, kinship, and the household religion. Good article Arthur, I'll come back later when I have time.
Fortunately I have access to a massive and active kindred network and I'm at an event to worship Ostara with dozens of people from across the US. People I've been building frith with, people who have sometimes three decades of frith built together.
Lots of what you say is true, and thought provoking, but from someone who practices what he preaches, folkism offers much to active practitioners. As I said, I'll respond in full later, but please explore some of my articles.
This is a point of view from my own perspective, more so Nietzschean than the typical Traditionalism common among Folkish types.
Folkism is inherently about identity. Per my personal definition of 'leftism,' it is about oneness & the opposition to identity. The tendency to want things to be the same. Some things that come to mind which directly affected the primordial Folkish worldview are Christianity, which is universal & evangelical, & (original) nationalism, which sought to wipe away regional differences in culture, language, etc.
These sorts of thought processes are very 'top-down,' so to speak, meaning they will start at the broadest identities & disparage the "lesser" ones. Examples, "there's only one race, the human race" & "we're all Americans." Folkishness is about the opposite, taking a more Organicist & 'bottom-up' view that starts at the smallest levels of identity & follows them upward to the higher levels. A good example is Communist ideology, which is very humanist & egalitarian, contrasted to ideologies like (classical) Liberalism which start at the individual. Ideologies such as National Socialism (which was formed in part by the preexisting Volkische movement) also start at the individual, but see the higher levels of identity as unique organisms. Meaning, a family is made of its members, a clan of its families, etc.
All these levels of identity are formulated based on the shared characteristics of its components. The nation is the way that is (culture, values, etc.) because of the shared identity of its components. Families are made up of generally similar individuals, with common experiences & genetics, and this can be extrapolated to the highest levels. Just as a body is determined by its cells, a nation is determined by its individuals.
Folkishness can best be described as the opposite of the "globalist/humanist" tendency. The idea that everyone should ultimately be the same with shared characteristics. From this, we can build up to other shared identities which allows for shared identity along racial, ethnic, & cultural lines. Rather than emphasizing the "common good," it emphasizes the closest identities to the individual, starting with the family & growing outwards.
As for ideology, it's a spook as Stirner would say. It was of no importance prior to the 17th century. Ideology is inseparable from religion, worldview. These things are determined by genetics, the ideologies that arise from certain peoples were inevitable. Just as indigenous religions (such as paganism) are reflective of the people themselves. For example, the difference between protestantism & catholicism are very similar to the differences between Germanic & Roman paganism even after a century of separation. Marxism closely resembles the lifestyle of Eastern European Ashkenazis, which was Marx's heritage. Just as a tiger freed from a zoo will fall into its natural instincts, so too will any people.
Good thoughts - to push back on one point you make.
" nationalism, which sought to wipe away regional differences in culture, language, etc."
Strong and robust regional identities and differences persisted long into the era of Nationalism especially within England and did not preclude those people from also having a sense of English national identity. If anything destroyed regional identity it was the collapse of economic opportunity in many areas that pulled people towards larger and larger towns and cities that can function as culture shredders.
The same is true in many European countries, French regional identity is still relatively strong.
This is very true but not quite what I was referring to. The original nationalism, which came from the French Revolution, had the expressed purpose of leveling out the regional identities of that country. Similar things happened in Germany, though this was less intentional. It's very similar to what organizations like the EU or UN have attempted at a grander scale.
It should be noted that this was a very different time from our own, & modern nationalism has very different goals. Modern nationalism has the opposite tendency as the offspring of the French Revolution have evolved towards humanism, globalism, etc.
I understand that the lyrics of "Deutschland, Deutschland, ueber alles" ("Germany, Germany, over all") actually referred to holding the nation higher in affection than its local regions.
When it was originally popularized yes. Meant to emphasize the importance of a unified Germany rather than specific constituencies like Bavaria or the Ruhr.
Later on, particularly after WW1, the sentiment changed & it was meant more chauvinistically & targeted towards other countries.
Right. Which goes with your point that nationalism was originally (19th century) a "left" ideology that levelled people within the national polity, and only later developed the outward-facing identity chauvinism that we commonly attribute to it today.
Well said!
Thanks for your interesting article. If I can add something as an American:
Liberals who vote for mass non-white migration are folkish themselves. In 94% liberal Washington, DC, the price for a house in Upper Caucasia, NW quadrant, is twice as expensive as a similar one in vibrant SE quadrant. Same distance to the federal triangle. Therefore, liberals are folkish, at least in the States.
Liberals with "Hate has no Home Here" signs in their front yards live in all-white neighborhoods in order to battle, heroically I guess, what President Biden called the greatest threat to the country – white supremacy. How brave.
Didn't I read somewhere that the rate of Democrats marrying non-Democrats was some fantastically low number, like about 4%?
That wouldn’t surprise me. The political gap between college educated women and men is growing.
https://theweek.com/politics/2024-gender-divide
‘There is a growing concern among young men that maybe DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] is going too far," Alice Evans, a senior lecturer at King's College, said to The Guardian. Some men "question if women's gains are coming at the expense of them."’
I have lots to add, but I'd rather you explore my many articles on folkism, kinship, and the household religion. Good article Arthur, I'll come back later when I have time.
Fortunately I have access to a massive and active kindred network and I'm at an event to worship Ostara with dozens of people from across the US. People I've been building frith with, people who have sometimes three decades of frith built together.
Lots of what you say is true, and thought provoking, but from someone who practices what he preaches, folkism offers much to active practitioners. As I said, I'll respond in full later, but please explore some of my articles.
Folkish are those things that help bond a group with a common past and a common future.