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Defeatism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2009

Stefan T. Possony
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Extract

Defeatism is one of the most characteristic attitudes of the present period, though the thing is not as new as the word for it. It is also one of the facts through which modern wars are in part decided, and defeats are brought about. Defeatism, therefore, is at least as important a factor for modern warfare as tanks and planes. And yet, while much is said about these physical means of destruction, little is heard about this psychological medium of destruction, despite the noteworthy fact that defeatism is the very thing aggressors try to attain with their propaganda. The National Socialists, for instance, do not propagandize their own political system if it is obvious from the outset that no converts to their political conception can be made.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Review of Politics , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , January 1942 , pp. 34 - 60
Copyright
Copyright © University of Notre Dame 1942

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