1984 Foreword "fascistic disposition"

[Paul Nightingale]

The fact of the matter is, the paragraph in question is perfectly clear.

P begins, in the first part of the paragraph, by summarising the way in
which "those of fascistic disposition", or anyone who thinks the
government is always right, will justify attacks on civil liberties.

1. Prewar thinking includes dissent and the givens of an everyday
democratic way of life. Prewar thinking is critical of attempts by the
government to curtail civil liberties.

2. In times of war, however, one might well consider that a 'normal'
lifestyle has now become something of a luxury. One will readily
surrender liberties, and suffer inconvenience, when the bombs start to
fall. Dissent might even be subversive in that the war effort (eg
morale) suffers.

3. In times of war strong leadership is considered a necessity.

4. Hence, wartime has brought with it an altered outlook. This argument
is used to reject any criticism of the government. It is reasonable to
infer that fear is a key factor (although P never actually uses the
word).

In the second part of the paragraph P deals with the prewar thinking
that has opposed undemocratic government. Be it an argument or a
prophesy of what will or might happen.

5. This argument is based on principles that are not opportunistic, as
the measures introduced by Churchill's war cabinet, as cited, might be
described.

6. Viewed objectively, leaving aside for one moment the circumstances,
and any justifications arising from those circumstances, the government
has behaved in the same way as a fascist government.

The logic of the writing comes from the juxtaposition of arguments one
(1-4 above) and two (5-6). One is an argument based on emotion, the
other rather more objective.

This might be a key paragraph in the Foreword precisely that
juxtaposition of arguments, of ways of arguing, is informed by another,
the juxtaposition of WW2 and more recent events in the US - no
contemporary reader can possibly fail to 'get' the references. Or can
they?