English nationalism is characterized by modesty and inwardness, diverging from more aggressive nationalisms.
Hypocrisy in English society acted as a shield against fascism, serving as a safeguard against overt tyranny.
Orwell criticizes the incompetence of English ruling classes in war and advocates for a meritocratic leadership.
Orwell predicts a transition to democratic socialism as a means to combat fascism and calls for organized meritocracy.
Deep dives
The Unique Characteristics of English Nationalism
Orwell delves into the unique characteristics of English nationalism, highlighting its modesty and distinctiveness compared to other nationalisms. He emphasizes the private and inward nature of English nationalism, differentiating it from more bombastic versions found in other countries.
The Role of Hypocrisy in Resisting Fascism
Orwell argues that hypocrisy saved the English from succumbing to fascism, stating that the presence of double standards prevented blatant oppression. While acknowledging the negative connotations of hypocrisy, he views it as a tribute to virtue, providing a buffer against transparent wickedness.
The Need for Competence in Times of War
Orwell criticizes English ruling classes for their incompetence and ineffectiveness in war, attributing many historical mistakes to their lack of meritocracy. He emphasizes the importance of having capable leaders in times of conflict and the necessity of meritocratic structures within the military and government.
From Hypocrisy to Democratic Socialism
Orwell predicts a shift from hypocrisy in English society to democratic socialism as a means of winning the war against fascism. He envisions a socialist state where coercion and freedom coexist, advocating for a more organized and meritocratic governance system to ensure victory and social progress.
The Evolution of Cultural Democratization
Orwell anticipates cultural democratization as a potential pathway to political equality and socialism. He highlights the trend of overlapping experiences among different social classes through leisure activities like swimming, suggesting a potential shift towards a more egalitarian society.
Continuity Amidst Transformation and Contradictions
Orwell reflects on the continuity of England despite significant changes over time, likening the evolution of the nation to the personal growth of an individual. He acknowledges the transformation of England while recognizing underlying similarities that persist throughout its history.
The Persistence of Atonian Influence and the Limits of Change
Despite Orwell's calls for abolishing institutions like the House of Lords and public schools, the persistence of atonian influence and class structures hinder significant reform. He observes the ongoing dominance of traditional ruling classes and the challenges of bringing about lasting societal change.
This week David discusses George Orwell’s ‘The Lion and the Unicorn’ (1941), his great wartime essay about what it does – and doesn’t – mean to be English. How did the English manage to resist fascism? How are the English going to defeat fascism? These were two different questions with two very different answers: hypocrisy and socialism. David takes the story from there to Brexit and back again.
‘He was not, in fact, really a political thinker at all: he had no ideology, he proposed no plan of political action, and he was never able to relate himself comfortably to any political party.’
‘If George Orwell had died in 1939 he would be recorded in literary histories of the period as an interesting maverick who wrote some not very successful novels.’
‘Orwell detested those, mostly on the left, who theorised about situations without having experienced them, a common empiricist prejudice. There is no need to have your legs chopped off to sympathise with the legless.’
