‘The Worship of Failure’: Cults of Personality in Three Failed Fascist Movements

Cults of Personality are a noted feature of virtually every dictatorship of the 20th Century and have received a great deal of scholastic investigation. However, reasonably little work has been done on the cults of failed, would-be dictators and political agitators. This thesis aims to study the common factors of three failed Fascist leaders and their embryonic personality cults. It will do so by examining the historical precedents to the 20th century personality cult, discussing the role of the leader in personality cults. It will consider as well how these cults function, through the study of music, published Fascist literature and cinema. Finally, this thesis will consider how these cults have managed to survive until today, casting their ideological influence over contemporary neo-Fascists.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

National University of Ireland Maynooth

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Lyons-Harrington, Richard

Language dc:language

en