Ideology and ideologues (connected to: Why Voldemort is a fascist...)

[scoutmom21113]

No: HPFGUIDX 109082

-Nora:

And I think it's pretty clear that Voldie has an ideology; where I'm
willing to concede ground is that there are two strains in it that
don't really always merge so nicely.

1: Power is the only thing important in life, and I want more of it.

This is what makes him amoral, and I think the recent discussion
on 'greatness' has a lot to say. (snip)

2: Muggles are inferior to wizards, and all who bear Muggle blood
are tainted and inferior.

Include in this the whole complex of DE ideas I posted about
earlier, please. And note that the two are not *wholly*
disconnected, but do go rather at cross-purposes at times. I would
argue that Voldy's language speaks of a certain sense of
entitlement. There's a *reason* that he calls himself 'Lord', and
calls Dumbledore 'that champion of Muggles, Mudbloods, commoners'
(paraphrasing--my books are 957 miles away at present...). He's
speaking the language of a would-be aristocrat, to the pureblooded
members of a would-be true aristocracy. Add in what I think is a
pretty likely obsession with his descent from Salazar Slytherin, and
you have a very particular combination of factors:

A naturally rather talented wizard (who is going to be powerful)
with the convictions that he is also destined and entitled to a
position of power by his heritage.

Now, having an allegiance to Numbah One up there, he's willing to be
flexible in the pursuit of what he wants. Doesn't mean that he's
ditched Numbah Two completely. Dictators may be dictators, but it's
reductionist to stop at that, because they don't all behave the same
way and for the same reasons. I think that the purebloods who are
ideologues and do follow LV do it for a combination of reasons that
are more closely entwined: We deserve power *because* of our
heritage and he's going to restore us to our rightful position.
Again, any wonder that a lot of these kind are mixed up with Dark
Magic? It's the way to get what you want when you don't care so
much about how you get it...

As always, all thoughts are eagerly appreciated.

Bookworm:
The only thing I would add is the idea that TR/LV has a serious 
insecurity problem.  "If I'm powerful enough, no one will
realize I am really have very low self-esteem.  Here I am, descended 
from the great Salazar himself, and what would the other Slytherins 
think if they found out his blood had been contaminated by my muggle 
father."  Remember Bellatrix's reaction when Harry told her?  

That's enough pop-psychology for me tonight.
Ravenclaw Bookworm