Popularity contest

The popularity of royalty and aristocracy tells you how much people cherish republicanism and democracy.

And of films, plays, and stories of kings and knights and the like.

What does the popularity of dictators tell you?

Castro.

Franco.

Peron.

Mussoloni had a real following, both at home and internationally.

I had an affair with a woman many years ago who was quite proud of an uncle who had been a firm supporter of Il Duce, right through the war.

On the other hand, "my country, right or wrong" does not express commitment to any particular form of government.

Stalin, like Alexander I, appealed to patriotism, with ultimate success.

As did the Emperor of Japan in the losing war against America and the allies in the Pacific.

Political reality is not much like what the partisans and blabber-mouths say it is.

Political loyalties and even antipathies often have little to do with political theories or more than - and often less than - the most rudimentary ideas of justice.

In this they are much like human affections in general - love, hate, friendship, enmity, and the like.

That is to say, often a triumph of sentiment over intelligence and interest.

If I recall correctly, Napoleon abolished serfdom and cut the privileges of aristocracy in all his conquered countries.

Think of all those Russian serfs proudly fighting against him for Holy Russia and the Tsar.

Think of that patriotic nitwit, Tolstoy.