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Salem with and without witches, and also Geneva and Berlin

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  • Peter Nannestad

    (Aarhus University)

Abstract

Peter Bernholz’s cases of supreme values exhibit authoritarianism, totalitarianism and terror. Supreme values are, however, a necessary, but not sufficient condition for authoritarian or totalitarian rule. That observation raises the question of the conditions under which supreme value systems result or do not result in authoritarianism and totalitarianism (or terrorism). I address the question using a case study based on Article 1.1 of the German constitution (Grundgesetz; GG), which fulfils the twin criteria for being a supreme value (being at the top of a lexicographical ordering of values and not being substitutable with others), but is not associated with authoritarianism, totalitarianism and terror. The contrary is the case. I compare the supreme value institutionalized in Article 1.1 GG to two supreme value systems that historically have been associated with Bernholz’s cases, namely Calvinism in 16th century Geneva and German Nazism (1933–1945). I consider three explanations for the association of supreme values with authoritarianism, totalitarianism and terror: when the content of the supreme value is malevolent to some groups; when the supreme value has been imposed on a society; and when supreme values facilitate rent extraction. In the cases that I consider, rent extraction seems to be a compelling explanation.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Nannestad, 2021. "Salem with and without witches, and also Geneva and Berlin," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 186(3), pages 229-239, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:186:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s11127-019-00725-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-019-00725-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Peter Bernholz, 2017. "Totalitarianism, Terrorism and Supreme Values," Studies in Public Choice, Springer, number 978-3-319-56907-9, June.
    2. Hillman,Arye L., 2019. "Public Finance and Public Policy," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107136311.
    3. Arye L. Hillman, 2004. "Nietzschean Development Failures," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 119(3_4), pages 263-280, June.
    4. Arye L. Hillman, 2018. "Peter Bernholz: Totalitarianism, Terrorism and Supreme Values: History and Theory," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 176(3), pages 567-571, September.
    5. Bernholz, Peter, 2004. "Supreme values as the basis for terror," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 317-333, June.
    6. ., 2019. "Public finance, monetary policy and banking supervision," Chapters, in: Islamic Finance, chapter 7, pages 180-206, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. Hillman, Arye L., 2010. "Expressive behavior in economics and politics," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 403-418, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Supreme values; Authoritarianism; Totalitarianism; Terror; Rent extraction;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions

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