Episode 145 [3/3]: Emily Ruhl: Religiously-defensible, divinely-supported genocide

Activist #MMT - podcast

Welcome to episode 142 of Activist #MMT. Today's the final part of my three-part conversation with Emily Ruhl, on his 2008 paper, Religiously-defensible, divinely-supported genocide. Today we discuss principles seven to ten. My full and detailed question and summary list can be found in the show notes to part one. Also, be sure to see the list "audio chapters" in all three parts (look below!) to find exactly where each topic is discussed.

You can financially support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/ActivistMMT. For as little as a dollar a month, all patrons get exclusive, super-early access to several full episodes and some unique patron-only opportunities, like asking my academic guests questions (like my episodes with Dirk Ehnts, John Harvey, and Warren Mosler). In addition to this podcast, patrons also support the development of my large and growing collection of learn-MMT resources, and my journey through the Torrens graduate program. To become a patron, you can start by going to Patreon.com/ActivistMMT. Every little bit helps a little bit, and it all adds up to a lot. Thanks.

And now, let's get right back to my conversation with Emily Ruhl. Enjoy.

Audio chapters

• 3:01 - Different levels of Nazis: killing versus deciding who to kill (doctors, commandants, soldiers)
• 6:44 - Symbols as an expression and reminder of power (pledge of allegiance)
• 8:02 - Charismatization: The charisma of the individual, and of the world (institutions) around him — including reactions to him.
• 18:17 - Calmly stirring up the crowd into a frenzy, and further into genocide.
• 19:03 - The pursuit of Atlantis and the holy grail (Indians Jones)
• 28:10 - Nazi pseudo-religion is a tool to justify genocide. False economics is a tool to justify mass neglect and exploitation.
• 34:44 - Connecting false economics and Nazi Germany's pseudo-religion
• 38:47 - In the national context, there is no such thing as "finding money" Their decision to do something IS the the funding.
• 41:38 - Final question: Polanyi, "latent anti-Semetism" versus venting frustrations from a lifetime of mass neglect and exploitation
• 51:00 - Reality of hyperinflation, the treaty of Versailles
• 52:28 - Final comments
• 54:44 - Goodbyes