I've not read this book, but this is a good overview. According to your description, Witcoff's book appears to be just as valuable as an introduction to the understanding of Orthodox/state symphonia as it serves as an analysis of three very different early 20th century fascist (more or less) governments from the Orthodox perspective.
And you're absolutely right, Michael, in pointing out that the public conception of 'fascism' is hobbled by lumping these very different nationalist, reactionary movements together. I also agree with your criticisms of the various fascist-type regimes of the time, that they tended towards too much statism and modernism to respect the proper balance and attitude of government, Church, and people. Yet, as you pointed out, Codreanu's unrealized vision for the state better represented this symphonic balance (and unlike the ideal communism that the Starbucks lady(?) gushed about, Orthodox symphonia has several examples of success throughout centuries of history, and Codreanu was attempting to install a government that implemented something like this ancient understanding.)
In all, after reading your review and then checking out the table of contents from Fascism Viewed from the Cross, I think Michael Witcoff's book will be a joy to read. I especially appreciate the organized structure of his book, methodically hammering a repeated rhythm of understandings about the Church, the State, and the Jews from the perspectives of Orthodoxy, Mussolini, Hitler, and Codreanu.
I've not read this book, but this is a good overview. According to your description, Witcoff's book appears to be just as valuable as an introduction to the understanding of Orthodox/state symphonia as it serves as an analysis of three very different early 20th century fascist (more or less) governments from the Orthodox perspective.
And you're absolutely right, Michael, in pointing out that the public conception of 'fascism' is hobbled by lumping these very different nationalist, reactionary movements together. I also agree with your criticisms of the various fascist-type regimes of the time, that they tended towards too much statism and modernism to respect the proper balance and attitude of government, Church, and people. Yet, as you pointed out, Codreanu's unrealized vision for the state better represented this symphonic balance (and unlike the ideal communism that the Starbucks lady(?) gushed about, Orthodox symphonia has several examples of success throughout centuries of history, and Codreanu was attempting to install a government that implemented something like this ancient understanding.)
In all, after reading your review and then checking out the table of contents from Fascism Viewed from the Cross, I think Michael Witcoff's book will be a joy to read. I especially appreciate the organized structure of his book, methodically hammering a repeated rhythm of understandings about the Church, the State, and the Jews from the perspectives of Orthodoxy, Mussolini, Hitler, and Codreanu.
Thank you for this review!
Thank you!