TOTAL MOBILIZATION

ErnstJnger

Itgoesagainstthegrainoftheheroicspirittoseekoutthe imageofwarinasourcethatcanbedeterminedbyhuman action.Still,themultitudinoustransformationsanddisguises whichthepureform[Gestalt]ofwar[pg123]enduresamid thevicissitudesofhumantimeandspaceoffersthisspirita grippingspectacletobehold. Thisspectacleremindsusofvolcanoeswhich,althoughtheyareat workinverydifferentregions,constantlyspewforththesame earthlyfire.Tohaveparticipatedinawarmeanssomethingsimilar: tohavebeeninthevicinityofsuchafirespittingmountain;but thereisagreatdifferencebetweenHeklainIcelandandVesuviusin theGulfofNaples.Onemightsaythatthedifferenceinthe landscapesvanishesthecloseroneapproachesthecrater'sglowing jaws;alsoatthepointwhereauthenticpassionbreaksthrough aboveall,inthenakedandimmediatestruggleforlifeanddeathit becomesamatterofsecondaryimportanceinwhichcentury,for whatideas,andwithwhatweaponsthebattleisbeingfought.But thatisnotthesubjectofouressay. Instead,wewilltrytoassembleanumberoffactsthatdistinguish thelastwarourwar,thegreatestandmostinfluentialeventofour agefromotherwarswhosehistoryhasbeenhandeddowntous.

Published in The Heidegger Controversy, 119-39. Translated by Joel Golb and Richard Wolin. Originally (Totale Mobilmachung) first appeared in Kriegund Krieger, edited by Ernst Jiinger (Berlin: Junker und Diinnhaupt, 1930).

Perhapswecanbestidentifythespecialnatureofthisgreat catastrophebytheassertionthatinit,thegeniusofwarwas penetratedbythespiritofprogress.Thiswasnotonlythe caseforthefightingamongthedifferentcountries;itwasalso trueforthecivilwarthatgatheredarichsecondharvestin manyofthem.Thesetwophenomena,worldwarandworld revolution,aremuchmorecloselyinterrelatedthanafirstglance wouldindicate.Theyaretwosidesofaneventofcosmicsignificance, whoseoutbreakandoriginsareinterdependentinnumerous respects. Itislikelythatmanyunusualdiscoveriesawaitourthinking regardingtherealityhiddenbehindtheconcept"progress"an ambiguousconceptglitteringinmanycolors.Undoubtedlytheway weareinclinedthesedaystomakefunofitcomestoocheap.Tobe sure,wecouldciteeverytrulysignificantnineteenthcenturythinker insupportofouraversion;still,byallourdisgustatthedullnessand uniformityofthelifeformsatissue,thesuspicionarisesthattheir sourceisofmuchgreatersignificance.Ultimately,eventheprocess ofdigestiondependsonthepowersofawondrousandinexplicable Life.Certainly,itcantodaybe[pg124]demonstratedconvincingly thatprogressis,infact,notreallyprogress.Butmoreimportantthan thisconviction,perhaps,isthequestionofwhethertheconcept's realsignificanceisnotofamoremysteriousanddifferentsort:one whichusestheapparentlyundisguisedmaskofreasonasasuperb placeofhiding. Itispreciselythecertaintywithwhichprogressivemovements produceresultscontradictingtheirowninnermosttendencieswhich suggeststhathere,aseverywhereinlife,whatprevailsarenotso muchthesetendenciesbutother,morehiddenimpulsions."Spirit" ["Geist"]hasoftenjustifiablyreveledincontemptforthewooden marionettesofprogress;butthefinethreadsthatproducetheir movementsareinvisible. Ifwewishtolearnsomethingaboutthestructureofmarionettes, thereisnomorepleasantguidethanFlaubert'snovelBouvardand pecuchet.Butifwewishtoconsiderthepossibilitiesofthismore secretmovementamovementalwayseasiertosensethanprove bothPascalandHamannofferawealthofrevealingpassages.

"Meanwhile,ourphantasies,illusions,fallaciaeopticae,andfallacies standunderGod'srealm."Wefindstatementsofthissortfrequently inHamann;theyreflectasensibilitythatstrivestoincorporatethe laborsofchemistryintotherealmofalchemy.Letusleaveasidethe questionofwhichspirit'srealmrulesovertheopticalillusionof progress:thisstudyisnodemonology,butisintendedfortwentieth centuryreaders.Nevertheless,onethingiscertain:onlyapowerof culticorigin,onlyabelief,couldconceiveofsomethingasaudacious asextendingtheperspectiveofutility[Zweckmdssigkeit]intothe infinite. Andwho,then,woulddoubtthatprogressisthenineteenth century'sgreatpopularchurchtheonlyoneenjoyingrealauthority anduncriticalfaith? Withawarbreakingoutinsuchanatmosphere,therelation ofeachindividualcontestanttoprogresswasboundtoplaya decisiverole.Andpreciselythereinliestheauthentic,moral factorofourage:eventhestrongestarmies,equippedwith theindustrialera'slatestweaponsofannihilation,arenomatchfor itsfine,imponderableemanations;forthiseracanevenrecruitits troopsfromtheenemy'scamp.[pg125] Inordertoclarifythissituation,letushereintroducetheconceptof totalmobilization:thetimesarelonggonewhenitsufficedtosenda hundredthousandenlistedsubjectsunderreliableleadershipinto battleaswefind,say,inVoltaire'sCandide;andwhen,ifHisMajesty lostabattle,thecitizen'sfirstdutywastostayquiet.Nonetheless, eveninthesecondhalfofthenineteenthcentury,conservative cabinetscouldstillprepare,wage,andwinwarswhichthepeople's representativeswereindifferenttowardsorevenagainst.Tobesure, thispresupposedacloserelationbetweencrownandarmy;a relationthathadonlyundergoneasuperficialchangethroughthe newsystemofuniversalconscriptionandwhichstillessentially belongedtothepatriarchalworld.Itwasalsobasedonafixed calculationofarmamentsandcosts,whichmadewarseemlikean exceptional,butinnosenselimitless,expenditureofavailableforces andsupplies.Inthisrespect,evengeneralmobilizationhadthe

characterofapartialmeasure. Theserestrictionsnotonlyreflectthelimiteddegreeofmeans,but alsoaspecificraisond'etat.Themonarchpossessesanatural instinctwarninghimnottotrespasstheboundsofdynasticpower. Themeltingdownofhistreasureseemslessobjectionablethan creditsapprovedbyanassembly;andforthedecisivemomentof battle,hewouldratherreservehisguardsthanaquotaofvolunteers. WefindthisinstinctremaininghealthyinPrussiadeepintothe nineteenthcentury.Oneexampleamongmanyisthebitterfightfora threeyears'conscription:whereasabriefperiodofserviceis characteristicforavolunteerarmy,whendynasticpowerisatstake, triedandtestedtroopsaremorereliable.Frequently,weevencome uponwhatbytoday'sstandardsisalmostunthinkablea renunciationofprogressandanyconsummateequippingofthe army;butsuchscruplesalsohavetheirreasons.Hencehiddenin everyimprovementoffirearmsespeciallytheincreaseinrangeisan indirectassaultontheconditionsofabsolutemonarchy.Eachsuch improvementpromotesfiringatindividualtargets,whilethesalvo incarnatestheforceoffixedcommand.Enthusiasmwasstill unpleasanttoWilhelmI.Itspringsfromasourcethat,likeAeolus' windsack,hidesnotonlystormsofapplause.Authority'strue touchstoneisnottheextentofjubilationitreceives,butthewars thathavebeenlost. Partialmobilizationthuscorrespondstotheessenceofmonarchy. Thelatteroverstepsitsboundstotheextentthatitisforcedtomake the[pg126]abstractformsofspirit,money,"folk"inshort,the forcesofgrowingnationaldemocracyapartofthepreparationfor war.Lookingbackwecannowsaythatcompleterenunciationof suchparticipationwasquiteimpossible.Themannerinwhichitwas incorporated[intopoliticallife]representstherealessenceof nineteenthcenturystatecraft.Theseparticularcircumstances explainBismarck'smaximthatpoliticsisthe"artofthepossible." Wecannowpursuetheprocessbywhichthegrowingconversionof lifeintoenergy,theincreasinglyfleetingcontentofallbindingtiesin deferencetomobility,givesanevermoreradicalcharactertotheact ofmobilizationwhichinmanystateswastheexclusiverightofthe crown,needingnocountersignature.Theeventscausingthisare

numerous:withthedissolutionoftheestatesandthecurtailingof thenobility'sprivileges,theconceptofawarriorcastealsovanishes; thearmeddefenseofthestateisnolongerexclusivelythedutyand prerogativeoftheprofessionalsoldier,buttheresponsibilityof everyonewhocanbeararms.Likewise,becauseofthehugeincrease inexpenses,itisimpossibletocoverthecostsofwagingwaronthe basisofafixedwarbudget;instead,astretchingofallpossiblecredit, evenataxationofthelastpfennigsaved,isnecessarytokeepthe machineryinmotion.Inthesameway,theimageofwarasarmed combatmergesintothemoreextendedimageofagiganticlabor process(Arbeitsprozesses].Inadditiontothearmiesthatmeetonthe battlefields,originatethemodernarmiesofcommerceandtransport, foodstuffs,themanufactureofarmamentsthearmyoflaborin general.Inthefinalphase,whichwasalreadyhintedattowardthe endofthelastwar,thereisnolongeranymovementwhatsoeverbe itthatofthehomeworkerathersewingmachinewithoutatleast indirectuseforthebattlefield.Inthisunlimitedmarshalingof potentialenergies,whichtransformsthewarringindustrial countriesintovolcanicforges,weperhapsfindthemoststrikingsign ofthedawnoftheageoflaborlArbeitszeitalter].ItmakestheWorld WarahistoricaleventsuperiorinsignificancetotheFrench Revolution.Inordertodeployenergiesofsuchproportion,fitting one'sswordarmnolongersuffices;forthisisamobilization [Rustung]thatrequiresextensiontothedeepestmarrow,life'sfinest nerve.Itsrealizationisthetaskoftotalmobilization:anactwhich,as ifthroughasinglegraspofthe[pg127]controlpanel,conveysthe extensivelybranchedanddenselyveinedpowersupplyofmodern lifetowardsthegreatcurrentofmartialenergy. AtthebeginningoftheWorldWar,thehumanintellecthadnotyet anticipatedamobilizationofsuchproportions.Still,itssignswere manifestinisolatedinstancesforexample,thelargeemploymentof volunteersandreservistsatthewar'sstart,thebanonexports,the censor'sregulations,thechangesofcurrencyrates.Inthecourseof thewarthisprocessintensified:asexamples,wecancitethe plannedmanagementofrawmaterialsandfoodstuffs,the transpositionofindustrialconditions[Arbeitsverhiiltnisses]to militarycircumstances,civilguardduty,thearmingoftradevessels, theunexpectedextensionofthegeneralstaff'sauthority,the "Hindenburgprogram,"Ludendorff'sstruggleforthefusionof

militaryandpoliticalcommand. Nevertheless,despitethespectacle,bothgrandioseandfrightful,of thelater"battlesofmateriel"["Materialschlachten"],inwhichthe humantalentfororganizationcelebratesitsbloodytriumph,its fullestpossibilitieshavenotyetbeenreached.Evenlimitingour scopetothetechnicalsideoftheprocess,thiscanonlyoccurwhen theimageofmartialoperationsisprescribedforconditionsofpeace. Wethusseethatinthepostwarperiod,manycountriestailornew methodsofarmamenttothepatternoftotalmobilization. Inthisregard,wecanintroduceexamplessuchastheincreasing curtailmentof"individualliberty,"aprivilegethat,tobesure,has alwaysbeenquestionable.SuchanassaulttakesplaceinRussiaand ItalyandthenhereinGermany;itsaimistodenytheexistenceof anythingthatisnotafunctionofthestate.Wecanpredictatime whenallcountrieswithglobalaspirationsmusttakeuptheprocess, inordertosustainthereleaseofnewformsofpower.France's evaluationofthebalanceofpowerfromtheperspectiveofenergie potentiellebelongsinthiscontext,asdoesthemodelAmericahas offeredalreadyinpeacetimeforcooperationbetweenindustryand thearmy.Germanwarliteratureraisedissuestouchingonthevery essenceofarmament,forcingthegeneralpublictomakejudgments aboutmattersofwar(ifsomewhatbelatedlyandinreality anticipatingthefuture).Forthefirsttime,theRussian"fiveyear plan"presentedtheworldwithanattempttochannelthecollective energiesofagreatempireintoasinglecurrent.Seeinghow[pg128] economictheoryturnsvoltefaceishereinstructive.The"planned economy,"asoneofthefinalresultsofdemocracy,growsbeyond itselfintoageneralunfoldingofpower.Wecanobservethisshiftin manyeventsofourage.Thegreatsurgingforthofthemasses therebyreachesapointofcrystallization. Still,notonlyattackbutalsodefensedemandsextraordinaryefforts, andheretheworld'scompulsionsperhapsbecomeevenclearer.Just aseverylifealreadybearstheseedsofitsowndeath,sothe emergenceofthegreatmassescontainswithinitselfademocracyof death.Theeraofthewellaimedshoti~alreadybehindus.Giving outthenightflightbombingorder,thesquadronleadernolonger seesadifferencebetweencombatantsandcivilians,andthedeadly

gascloudhoverslikeanelementarypowerovereverythingthatlives. Butthepossibilityofsuchmenaceisbasedneitheronapartialnor general,butratheratotalmobilization.Itextendstothechildinthe cradle,whoisthreatenedlikeeveryoneelseevenmoreso. Wecouldcitemanysuchexamples.Itsufficessimplytoconsiderour dailylife,withitsinexorabilityandmercilessdiscipline,itssmoking, glowingdistricts,thephysicsandmetaphysicsofitscommerce,its motors,airplanes,andburgeoningcities.Withapleasuretinged horror,wesensethathere,notasingleatomisnotinmotionthat weareprofoundlyinscribedinthisragingprocess.Total Mobilizationisfarlessconsummatedthanitconsummatesitself;in warandpeace,itexpressesthesecretandinexorableclaimtowhich ourlifeintheageofmassesandmachinessubjectsus.Itthusturns outthateachindividuallifebecomes,evermoreunambiguously,the lifeofaworker;andthat,followingthewarsofknights,kings,and citizens,wenowhavewarsofworkers.Thefirstgreattwentieth centuryconflicthasofferedusapresentimentofboththeirrational structureandtheirmercilessness. WehavetouchedonthetechnicalaspectsofTotal Mobilization;theirperfectioncanbetracedfromthefirst conscriptionsoftheConventiongovernmentduringthe FrenchRevolutionandScharnhorst'sarmyreorganization2to thedynamicarmamentprogramoftheWorldWar'slast[pg 129]yearswhenstatestransformedthemselvesintogigantic factories,producingarmiesontheassemblylinethattheysenttothe battlefieldbothdayandnight,whereanequallymechanicalbloody mawtookovertheroleofconsumer.Themonotonyofsucha spectacleevokingthepreciselaborofaturbinefueledwithbloodis indeedpainfultotheheroictemperament;still,therecanbeno doubtregardingitssymbolicmeaning.Hereaseverenecessity revealsitself:thehardstampofanageinamartialmedium.
'Translators' note: Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst (1755-1813), Prussian general and creator of the modern Prussian military system. Following Prussia's losses in the Napoleonic wars, he reformed the Prussian military by abolishing its predominantly mercenary character and opting instead for a national force based on universal conscription.

Inanyevent,TotalMobilization'stechnicalsideisnotdecisive.Its basislikethatofalltechnologyliesdeeper.Weshalladdressithere asthereadinessformobilization.Suchreadinesswaspresent everywhere:theWorldWarwasoneofthemostpopularwars knowntohistory.Thiswasbecauseittookplaceinanagethat excludedaprioriallbutpopularwars.Also,asidefromminorwars ofcolonialismandplunder,theinvolvednationshadenjoyeda relativelylongperiodofpeace.Atthebeginningofourinvestigation, however,wepromisedemphaticallynottofocusontheelementary stratumofhumannaturethatmixofwildandnoblepassionsresting withinit,renderingitalwaysopentothebattlecry.Rather,wewill nowtrytodisentanglethemultiplesignalsannouncingand accompanyingthisparticularconflict. Wheneverweconfronteffortsofsuchproportions,possessingthe specialqualityof"uselessness"["Zwecklosigkeit"]saytheerectionof mightyconstructionslikepyramidsandcathedrals,orwarsthatcall intoplaytheultimatemainspringsoflifeeconomicexplanations,no matterhowilluminating,arenotsufficient.Thisisthereasonthat theschoolofhistoricalmaterialismcanonlytouchthesurfaceofthe process.Toexplaineffortsofthissort,weoughtratherfocusour firstsuspicionsonphenomenaofaculticvariety. Indefiningprogressasthenineteenthcentury'spopularchurch,we havealreadysuggestedthesourceofthelastwar'seffectiveappeal tothegreatmasses,whoseparticipationwassoindispensable.This appealaloneaccountsforthedecisiveaspectoftheirTotal Mobilization:thataspectwiththeforceoffaith.Shirkingthewarwas allthelesspossible[pg130]inproportiontothedegreeoftheir convictionhencetoproportiontothepuritywithwhichthe resoundingwordsmovingthemtoactionhadaprogressivecontent. Granted,thesewordsoftenhadaharshandluridcolor;their effectivenesscannotbedoubted.Theyresemblethebrightrags steeringthebattuepreytowardstherifle'sscope. Evenasuperficialglance,geographicallyseparatingthewarringpar.. tiesintovictorsandvanquished,mustacknowledgetheadvantageof the"progressive"nations.Thisadvantageseemstoevokea deterministicprocesssuchasDarwin'stheoryofsurvivalofthe "fittest."Itsdeterministicqualityisparticularlyapparentinthe

inabilityofvictoriouscountrieslikeRussiaandItalytoavoida completedestructionoftheirpoliticalsystems.Inthislight,thewar seemstobeasurefiretouchstone,basingitsvaluejudgmentson rigorous,intrinsiclaws:likeanearthquaketestingthefoundationsof everybuilding. Evenasuperficialglance,geographicallyseparatingthewarring partiesintovictorsandvanquished,mustacknowledgethe advantageofthe"progressive"nations.Thisadvantageseemsto evokeadeterministicprocesssuchasDarwin'stheoryofsurvivalof the"fittest."Itsdeterministicqualityisparticularlyapparentinthe inabilityofvictoriouscountrieslikeRussiaandItalytoavoida completedestructionoftheirpoliticalsystems.Inthislight,thewar seemstobeasurefiretouchstone,basingitsvaluejudgmentson rigorous,intrinsiclaws:likeanearthquaketestingthefoundationsof everybuilding. Ontheotherhand,theprogressivesystem'sunexpectedpowersof resistance,eveninasituationofgreatphysicalweakness,are striking.Hence,inthemidstoftheFrencharmy'ssuppressionofthat highlydangerous1917mutiny,asecond,moral"miracleofthe Marne"unfolds,moresymptomaticforthiswarthanpurelymilitary factors.Likewise,intheUnitedStateswithitsdemocratic constitution,mobilizationcouldbeexecutedwitharigorthatwas impossibleinPrussia,wheretherighttovotewasbasedonclass. AndwhocandoubtthatAmerica,thecountrylacking"dilapidated castles,basaltcolumns,andtalesofknights,ghostsandbrigands," emergedtheobviousvictorofthiswar?Itscoursewasalready decidednotbythedegreetowhichastatewasa"militarystate,"but bythedegreetowhichitwascapableofTotalMobilization. Germany,however,wasdestinedtolosethewar,evenifithadwon thebattleoftheMarneandsubmarinewarfare.Fordespiteallthe care[pg131]withwhichitundertookpartialmobilization,large areasofitsstrengthescapedTotalMobilization;forthesamereason, correspondingtotheinnernatureofitsarmament,itwascertainly capableofobtaining,sustaining,andaboveallexploitingpartial successbutneveratotalsuccess.Toaffixsuchsuccesstoour weaponswouldhaverequiredpreparingforanotherCannae,oneno

lesssignificantthanthattowhichSchlieffendevotedhislife'swork.3 Butbeforecarryingthisargumentforward,letusconsidersome disparatepoints,inthehopeoffurthershowingthelinkbetween progressandTotalMobilization. Onefactisclearlyilluminatingforthoseseekingto understandthewordprogressinitsgaudytimbre:inanage thatpubliclyexecuted,underhorrifictorture,aRavaillacor evenaDamienstasprogenyofhell,theassassinationof royaltywoulddamageamorepowerfulsocialstratumone moredeeplyetchedinbeliefthaninthecenturyfollowingLouis XVI'sexecution.Itturnsoutthatinthehierarchyofprogress,the princebelongstoanotespeciallyfavoredspecies. Letusimagine,foramoment,thegrotesquesituationinwhicha majoradvertisingexecutivehadtopreparethepropagandafora modernwar.Withtwopossibilitiesavailableforsparkingthefirst waveofexcitementnamely,theSarajevoassassinationorthe violationofBelgianneutralitytherecanbenodoubtwhichwould promisethegreaterimpact.ThesuperficialcauseoftheWorldWar nomatterhowadventitiousitmightseemisinhabitedbyasymbolic meaning:inthecaseoftheSarajevoculpritsandtheirvictim,the heirtotheHabsburgcrown,[pg132]nationalanddynastic principlescollidedthemodern"rightofnationalselfdetermination" withtheprincipleoflegitimacypainstakinglyrestoredatthe
Translators' note: It was at the battle of Cannae in 216 B.C. that Hannibal defeated the Romans. In the history of warfare, the battle stands as the most perfect example of the double envelopment of an opposing army. It took Rome nearly a decade to recover from the loss. General Alfred von Schlieffen (1833-1913) was head of the German general staff from 1891 to 1906. He was responsible for the "Schlieffen plan" employed in World War I, which concerned the problem of waging war on two fronts. Translators' note: Francois Ravaillac (1578-1610), regicide who assassinated King Henry IV. Robert-Francois Damiens (1714-1757), who was tortured and executed for his attempt on the life of Louis XV.

CongressofVienna[18I5]throughstatecraftoftheoldstyle. Nowcertainly,beinguntimelyintherightsensesettinginmotiona powerfuleffectinaspiritthatdesirestopreservealegacyis praiseworthy.Butthisrequiresfaith.Itisclear,however,thatthe CentralPowers'ideologywasneithertimely,noruntimely,nor beyondtime.Rather,themoodwassimultaneouslytimelyand untimely,resultinginnothingbutamixtureoffalseromanticismand inadequateliberalism.Hencetheobservercouldnothelpbutnotice apredilectionforoutmodedtrappings,foralateromanticstyle,for Wagner'soperasinparticular.Wordsevokingthefidelityofthe Nibelungs,hopespinnedonthesuccessofIslam'scalltoholywar, areexamples.Obviously,technicalquestionsandquestionsof governmentwereinvolvedherethemobilizationofsubstancebut notthesubstanceitself.Buttherulingclasses'inadequate relationshipbothtothemassesandtoprofounderforcesrevealed itselfpreciselyinblundersofthissort. Henceeventhefamous,unintentionallybrilliantreferencetoa "scrapofpaper"suffersfromhavingbeenuttered150yearstoolate andthenfromprinciplesthatmighthavesuitedPrussian Romanticism,butatheartwerenotPrussian.FredericktheGreat mighthavespokenthus,pokingfunatyellowed,mustyparchmentin themannerofanenlighteneddespotism.ButBethmannHollweg musthaveknownthatinourtimeapieceofpaper,sayonewitha constitutionwrittenonit,hasameaningsimilartothatofa consecratedwaferfortheCatholicChurchandthattearingup treatiescertainlysuitsabsolutism,butliberalism'sstrengthliesin theirexegesis.StudytheexchangeofnotesprecedingAmerica's entryintothewarandyouwillcomeuponaprincipleof"freedomof theseas";thisoffersagoodexampleoftheextenttowhich,insuch anage,one'sowninterestsaregiventherankofahumanitarian postulateofanissuewithuniversalimplicationsforhumanity. Germansocialdemocracy,oneofthebulwarksofGermanprogress, graspedthedialecticalaspectofitsmissionwhenitequatedthe war'smeaningwiththedestructionoftheczar'santiprogressive regime. Butwhatdoesthatsignifyascomparedtothepossibilitiesformobi [pg133]lizingthemassesattheWest'sdisposal?Whowoulddeny

that"civilisation"ismoreprofoundlyattachedtoprogressthanis "Kultur";thatitslanguageisspokeninthelargecities,andthatithas meansandconceptsatitscommandtowhichKulturiseitherhostile orindifferent?Kulturcannotbeusedforpropaganda.Anapproach thattriesexploitingitinthiswayisitselfestrangedfromitjustas wefindtheservingupofgreatGermanspirits'headsonmillionsof paperstampsandbillstobepointless,orevensad. Wehave,however,nodesiretocomplainabouttheinevitable.We wishonlytoestablishthatGermanywasincapableofconvincingly takingonthespiritoftheage,whateveritsnature.Germanywas alsoincapableofproposing,toitselfortotheworld,avalidprinciple superiortothatspirit.Rather,wefinditsearchingsometimesin romanticidealistic,sometimesinrationalmaterialisticspheresfor thosesignsandimagesthatthefightingindividualstrivestoaffixto hisstandards.Butthevaliditylyingwithinthesespheresbelongs partlytothepastandpartlytoamilieualientoGermangenius;itis notsufficienttoassureutmostdevotiontotheadvanceofmenand machinessomethingthatafearfulbattleagainstaworlddemands. Inthislightwemuststruggleallthemoretorecognizehowour elementalsubstance,thedeep,primordialstrengthoftheVolk, remainsuntouchedbysuchasearch.Withadmiration,wewatch howGermanyouth,atthebeginningofthiscrusadeofreasonto whichtheworld'snationsarecalledunderthespellofsuchan obvious,transparentdogma,raisethebattlecry:glowing, enraptured,hungeringafterdeathinawayvirtuallyuniqueinour history. Ifoneoftheseyouthshadbeenaskedhismotivefortakingthefield, theanswer,certainly,wouldhavebeenlessclear.Hewouldhardly havespokenofthestruggleagainstbarbarismandreactionorfor civilization,thefreeingofBelgiumorfreedomoftheseas;but perhapshewouldhaveofferedtheresponse,"forGermany"that phrase,withwhichthevolunteerregimentswentontheattack. Andyet,thissmolderingfire,burningforanenigmaticandinvisible Germany,wassufficientforaneffortthatleftnationstremblingto themarrow.Whatifithadpossesseddirection,awareness,andform [Gestalt]?[p134]

Nothingillustratesthisclaimbetterthanthefactthatduringwar forcescanemergethataredirectedagainstwaritself.Nonetheless, theseforcesaremorecloselyrelatedtothepowersatworkinthe warthanitmightseem.TotalMobilizationshiftsitssphereof operations,butnotitsmeaning,whenitbeginstosetinmotion, insteadofthearmiesofwar,themassesinacivilwar.Theconflict nowinvadesspheresthatareofflimitstothecommandsofmilitary mobilization.Itisasiftheforcesthatcouldnotbemarshaledforthe warnowdemandedtheirroleinthebloodyengagement.Hencethe moreunifiedandprofoundthewar'scapacitytosummon,fromthe outset,allpossibleforcesforitscause,thesurerandmore imperturbablewillbeitscourse. WehaveseenthatinGermany,thespiritofprogresscouldonlybe mobilizedincompletely.Totakejustoneamongthousandsof examples,thecaseofBarbusseshowsusthatinFrance,forinstance, thesituationwasfarmorepropitious.4Inrealityanoutspoken opponentofwar,Barbussecouldonlystaytruetohisideasby readilyaffirmingthisone:tohismind,itreflectedastruggleof progress,civilisation,humanity,andevenpeace,againstaprinciple opposedtoallthesefactors."WarmustbekilledoffinGermany's belly." Nomatterhowcomplicatedthisdialecticappears,itsoutcomeis inexorable.Apersonwiththeleastapparentinclinationformilitary conflictstillfindshimselfincapableofrefusingtherifleofferedby thestate,sincethepossibilityofanalternativeisnotpresenttohis consciousness.Letusobservehimasherackshisbrains,standing
4

Asamodeoforganizationalthinking,TotalMobilizationis merelyanintimationofthathighermobilizationthatthe ageisdischarginguponus.Characteristicofthislattertype ofmobilizationisaninnerlawfulness,towhichhumanlaws mustcorrespondinordertobeeffective.

Translators' note: Henri Barbusse (1873-1935), french writer whose experiences in World War I led him to pacifism. In 1916 he wrote the powerful anti-war novel, Le feu (Under Fire).

guardinthewastelandofendlesstrenches,abandoningthetrenches aswellasanyonewhenthetimecomes,inordertoadvancethrough thehorrificcurtainoffireofthewarofmateriel.Butwhat,infact,is amazingaboutthis?Barbusseisawarriorlikeanyother:awarrior forhumanity,able[pg135]toforgomachinegunfireandgas attacks,andeventheguillotine,aslittleastheChristianchurchcan forgoitsworldlysword.Tobesure,inordertoachievesuchadegree ofmobilization,aBarbussewouldneedtoliveinFrance. TheGermanBarbussesfoundthemselvesinamoredifficultposition. Onlyisolatedintellectsmovedearlytoneutralterritory,decidingto wageopensabotageagainstthewareffort.Thegreatmajoritytried cooperatingwiththedeployment.Wehavealreadytouchedonthe caseofGermansocialdemocracy.Letusdisregardthefactthat, despiteitsinternationalistdogma,themovement'srankswerefilled withGermanworkers,hencecouldbemovedtoheroism.Noinits veryideology,itshiftedtowardsarevisionthatlaterledtothe chargeof"thebetrayalofMarxism."Wecangetaroughideaofthe procedure'sdetailsinthespeechesdeliveredduringthiscritical periodbyLudwigFrank,theSocialDemocraticleaderandReichstag deputy,who,asafortyyearoldvolunteer,fellfromashottothe headatNoissoncourtinSeptember1914."Wecomradeswithouta fatherlandstillknowthat,evenasstepchildren,wearechildrenof Germany,andthatwemustfightforourfatherlandagainstreaction. Ifawarbreaksout,theSocialDemocraticsoldierswillalso conscientiouslyfulfilltheirduty"(August29,1914).Thisextremely informativepassagecontainsinanutshelltheformsofwarand revolutionthatfateholdsinreadiness. Forthosewhowishtostudythisdialecticindetail,thepracticesof thenewspapersandjournalsduringthewaryearsofferawealthof examples.HenceMaximilianHardentheeditorofDieZukunftand perhapsthebestknownjournalistoftheWilhelminianperiodbegan adjustinghispublicactivitytothegoalsofthecentralcommand.We note,onlyinsofarasitissymptomatic,thatheknewhowtoplay uponthewar'sradicalismaswellashewouldlaterplayuponthatof theRevolution.Andthus,Simplicissimus,"anorganthathaddirected itsweaponsofnihilisticwitagainstallsocialties,andthusalso againstthearmy,nowtookonachauvinistictone.Itisclear, moreover,thatthejournal'squalitydiminishesasitspatriotictenor

risesthatis,asitabandonsthefieldofitsstrength. Perhapstheinnerconflictatissuehereismostapparentinthecase of[pg136]Rathenau;5itendowsthisfigureforanyonestrugglingto dohimjusticewiththeforceoftragedy.Toaconsiderableextent, Rathenauhadmobilizedforthewar,playingaroleinorganizingthe greatarmamentandfocusingevenclosetotheGermancollapseon thepossibilityofa"massinsurrection."Howisitpossiblethatsoon after,hecouldofferthewellknownobservationthatworldhistory wouldhavelostitsmeaninghadtheReich'srepresentativesentered thecapitalasvictorsthroughtheBrandenburgGate?Herewesee veryclearlyhowthespiritofmobilizationcandominatean individual'stechnicalcapacities,yetfailtopenetratehisessence. Withourlastfightersstilllyingbeforetheenemy,thesecret armyandsecretgeneralstaffcommandingGerman progressgreetedthecollapsewithexultation.Itresembled theexultationatavictoriousbattle.Itwastheclosestallyof theWesternarmiessoontocrosstheRhine,theirTrojanhorse.The reigningauthoritiesacknowledgedthenewspiritbythelowlevelof protestwithwhichtheyhastilyvacatedtheirposts.Betweenplayer andopponent,therewasnoessentialdifference. ThisisalsothereasonthatinGermany,thepoliticaltransformation [followingthemilitarycollapse]tookonrelativelyharmlessform. Thus,evenduringthecrucialdaysofdecision,theEmpire'sSocial Democraticministercouldplaywiththeideaofleavingthecrown intact.Andwhatwouldthathavesignified,otherthanmaintaininga facade?Foralongtime,thebuildinghadbeensoencumberedwith "progressive"mortgages,thatnomoredoubtwaspossibleastothe trueowner'snature. Butthereisanotherreasonwhythechangecouldtakeplaceless
Translators' note: Walter Rathenau (1867-1922), leading German industrialist who played a key role in organizing the supply of raw materials for Germany's war effort during World War I. Served as minister of reconstruction and foreign minister during the Weimar Republic and negotiated the Treaty of Rapallo with the Soviet Union. Rathenau, who was jewish, was assassinated by right-wing extremists on june 24, 1922.

violentlyinGermanythan,say,Russiabesidesthefactthatthe authoritiesthemselvespreparedthewayforit.Wehaveseenthata largeportionofthe"progressiveforces"hadalreadybeenoccupied withdirectingthewar.Theenergysquanderedduringthewarwas thennolongeravailablefortheinternalconflict.Toexpressitin morepersonal[pg137]terms:itmakesadifferenceifformer ministerstakethehelmorarevolutionaryaristocracy,educatedin Siberianexile. GermanylostthewarbywinningastrongerplaceintheWestern spherecivilization,peace,andfreedominBarbusse'ssense.Buthow couldweexpectanythingdifferent,sinceweourselveshadsworn allegiancetosuchvalues;atnopricewouldwehavedaredextend thewarbeyondthat"wallwrappedaroundEurope."Thiswould haverequireddifferentideasanddifferentallies,adeeperdisclosure ofone'sownvalues.Anincitementofsubstancecouldhaveeven takenplacewithandthroughprogressivistoptimismasRussia's casesuggests. Whenwecontemplatetheworldthathasemergedfromthe catastrophewhatunityofeffect,whatincrediblyrigorous historicalconsistency!Really,ifallthespiritualandphysical structuresofanoncivilizationalvarietyextendingfromthe nineteenthcentury'sendtoourownagehadbeenassembledina smallspaceandfiredonwithalltheworld'sweaponsthesuccess couldnothavebeenmoreresounding. TheKremlin'soldchimesnowplaytheInternationale.In Constantinople,schoolchildrenusetheLatinscriptinsteadofthe Koran'soldarabesques.InNaplesandPalermo,Fascistpolice regulatethepaceofsouthernlifeasifdirectingmoderntraffic.Inthe world'sremotest,evenlegendarylands,housesofparliamentare beingceremoniouslydedicated.Theabstractness,hencethehorror, ofallhumancircumstancesisincreasinginexorably.Patriotismis beingdilutedthroughanewnationalism,stronglyfusedwith elementsofconsciousawareness.InFascism,Bolshevism, Americanism,Zionism,inthemovementsofcoloredpeoples, progresshasmadeadvancesthatuntilrecentlywouldhaveseemed unthinkable;itproceeds,asitwere,headoverheels,followingthe

circularcourseofanartificialdialecticinordertocontinueits movementonaverysimpleplane.Disregardingitsmuchdiminished allowancesforfreedomandsociability,itisstartingtorulenations inwaysnotverydifferentfromthoseofanabsoluteregime.Inmany casesthehumanitarianmaskhasalmostbeenstrippedaway, replacedbyahalfgrotesque,halfbarbaricfetishismofthemachine, anaivecultoftechnique;thisoccursparticularlywherethereisno direct,productiverelationtothose[pg138]dynamicenergiesfor whosedestructive,triumphalcourselongrangeartilleryandbomb loadedfightersquadronsrepresentonlythemartialexpression. Simultaneously,esteemforquantity[Massen]isincreasing:quantity ofassent,quantityofpublicopinionhasbecomethedecisivefactor inpolitics.Socialismandnationalisminparticulararethetwogreat millstonesbetweenwhichprogresspulverizeswhatisleftoftheold world,andeventuallyitself.Foraperiodofmorethanahundred years,themasses,blindedbytheopticalillusionofthefranchise, weretossedaroundlikeaballbythe"right"and"left."Italways seemedthatonesideofferedrefugefromtheother'sclaims.Today everywheretherealityofeachside'sidentityisbecomingmoreand moreapparent;eventhedreamoffreedomisdisappearingasif underapincers'irongrasp.Themovementsoftheuniformlymolded masses,trappedinthesnaresetbytheworldspirit,comprisea greatandfearfulspectacle.Eachofthesemovementsleadstoa sharper,moremercilessgrasp:formsofcompulsionstrongerthan tortureareatworkhere;theyaresostrong,thathumanbeings welcomethemjoyfully.Behindeveryexit,markedwiththesymbols ofhappiness,lurkpainanddeath.Happyishealonewhosteps armedintothesespaces. Today,throughthecracksandseamsofBabel'stower,we canalreadyseeaglacierworld;thissightmakesthebravest spiritstremble.Beforelong,theageofprogresswillseemas puzzlingasthemysteriesofanEgyptiandynasty.Inthatera, however,theworldcelebratedoneofthosetriumphsthatendow victory,foramoment,withtheauraofeternity.Moremenacingthan Hannibal,withalltoomightyfists,somberarmieshadknockedon thegatesofitsgreatcitiesandfortifiedchannels.

Inthecrater'sdepths,thelastwarpossessedameaningno arithmeticcanmaster.Thevolunteersenseditinhisexultation,the Germandemon'svoiceburstingforthmightily,theexhaustionofthe oldvaluesbeingunitedwithanunconsciouslongingforanewlife. Whowouldhaveimaginedthatthesesonsofamaterialistic generationcouldhavegreeteddeathwithsuchardor?Inthiswaya liferichinexcessandignorantofthebeggar'sthriftdeclaresitself. Andjustastheactualresult[pg139]ofanuprightlifeisnothingbut thegainofone'sowndeepercharacter,forustheresultsofthiswar canbenothingbutthegainofadeeperGermany.Thisisconfirmed bytheagitationarounduswhichisthemarkofthenewrace:one thatcannotbesatisfiedbyanyofthisworld'sideasnoranyimageof thepast.Afruitfulanarchyreignshere,whichisbornfromthe elementsofearthandfire,andwhichhideswithinitselftheseedsof anewformofdomination.Hereanewformofarmamentstands revealed,onewhichstrivestoforgeitsweaponsfrompurerand hardermetalsthatproveimpervioustoallresistance. TheGermanconductedthewarwitha,forhim,alltooreasonable ambitionofbeingagoodEuropean.SinceEuropethusmadewaron EuropewhoelsebutEuropecouldbethevictor?Nevertheless,this Europe,whoseareaextendsinplanetaryproportions,hasbecome extremelythin,extremelyvarnished:itsspatialgainscorrespondto alossintheforceofconviction.Newpowerswillemergefromit. Deepbeneaththeregionsinwhichthedialecticofwaraimsisstill meaningful,theGermanencountersastrongerforce:heencounters himself.Inthisway,thewarwasatthesametimeabouthim:above all,themeansofhisownselfrealization.Andforthisreason,the newformofarmament,inwhichwehavealreadyforsometime beenimplicated,mustbeamobilizationoftheGermannothingelse.

Introduction
byRichardWolin,editoroftheanthology
ErnstJnger(b.1895)cametoprominenceduringthe192.0Sasthe foremostchroniclerofthe"frontexperience"("Fronterlebnis")of WorldWarI.Hiswellnighlyricaldescriptionsoftrenchwarfareand thegreat"battlesofmateriel"("Materialschlachten")thatis,of thoseaspectswhichmadethiswaruniqueinhumanhistoryin workssuchasIntheStormofSteel(192.0)andWarasInner Experience(1922.)earnedhimthereputationofatypeof "aestheticianofcarnage."Inthisway,Jnger,whowas,like Heidegger,deeplyinfluencedbyNietzsche'scritiqueof"European Nihilism,"viewedtheenergiesunleashedbytheGreatWarasa heroiccountermovementtoEuropeanworldweariness:asa provinggroundforanentireseriesofmasculinistwarriorvirtues thatseemedindangerofeclipseatthehandsofaneffete,decadent, andmaterialisticbourgeoisZivilisation.Yet,thewarof19141918 hadprovedthatinthemodernagewarfarewasmoredependenton theamassingoftechnologicalcapacitiesratherthanactsof individualheroism,andthisrealizationleftadeepimprintonallof Jnger'swritingintheformofaprofoundamorfati.Thus,asthe followingpassagefromWarasInnerExperiencedemonstrates,inthe lastanalysisthewardidnotsomuchpresentopportunitiesforacts ofindividualprowessasitofferedthepossibilityofametaphysical confrontationwithcertainprimordial,chthonicelements:forcesof annihilation,death,andhorror:"Theenthusiasmofmanlinessbursts beyonditselftosuchanextentthatthebloodroilsasitsurges throughtheveinsandglowsasitfoamsthroughtheheart....[War]is anintoxicationbeyondallintoxication,anun[pg120]leashingthat breaksallbonds.Itisafrenzywithoutcautionandlimits, comparableonlytotheforcesofnature.Theretheindividualislikea ragingstorm,thetossingsea,andtheroaringthunder.Hehasmelted intoeverything.Herestsatthedarkdoorofdeathlikeabulletthat hasreacheditsgoal.Andthepurplewavesdashoverhim.Foralong timehehasnoawarenessoftransition.Itisasifawaveslippedback intotheflowingsea."n1 InthelatetwentiesJngerpublishedover100essaysinleading

organsofGermany'sconservativerevolutionarymovement (Arminius,DeutschesVolkstum,Vormarsch,andWiderstand),thus establishinghimself,alongwithfiguressuchasMoellervanden BruckandOswaldSpengler,asoneofthemovement'smost celebratedandinfluentialfigures."TotalMobilization"appearedin the1930anthologyKriegundKrieger(WarandWarrior,whichwas editedbyJngerhimself).Itrepresentsadistillationoftheargument ofhisbooklengthstudyoftwoyearshence,DerArbeiterawork whichenjoyedatremendouscommercialsuccessandwhich,along with"TotalMobilization,"representsaremarkableprefigurationof totalitarianrule. Itisimportanttounderstandtheparamountstrategicroleplayedby workssuchas"TotalMobilization"andTheWorkeramongthe Germanconservativeintelligentsiainthepostwarperiod.For thereuponhingestheallimportantdifferencebetweenthe "traditionalGermanconservatism"andthenewgenerationof "conservativerevolutionaries."(Forthisgenerationalsplit, moreover,the"frontexperience"of19141918represents,asit were,thegreatdivide.)ForwhereastraditionalGerman conservativesoftenrejectedtheutilitarianmindsetofWestern modernityinthenameofanidealized,precapitalistGemeinschaft, theconservativerevolutionariesJngerforemostamongthem understoodthatifGermanyweretobevictoriousinthenext Europeanwar,amodusvivendiwouldhavetobefoundwiththe forcesofmoderntechnology,onwhichthefuturebalanceofpower depended.Certainofthesethinkers,therefore,begantoflirtwiththe ideaofa"moderncommunity"arestorationoftheintegralist valuesofGemeinschaftinamannerneverthelessconsistentwiththe newdemandsoftheindustrialera.InthiswayEnlightenment progressivismwouldundergoatransformationfromquantityto quality:fortheveryforcesofscience,reason,andtechnological progressthathadbeentheanimatingvaluesofthe[pg121] bourgeoisepochhadseeminglyreachedapointwherethe inordinatedegreeoftechnologicalconcentrationitselfthreatenedto underminethesurvivalofbourgeoisliberalism.OrasJngerargues forcefullyin"TotalMobilization,"inanageoftotalwarfare,the differencebetween"war"and"peace"iseffaced,andnosectorof societycanremain"unintegrated"whenthesummonsto "mobilization"isannounced.

 ThetwoworksbyJnger,"TotalMobilization"andTheWorker,had anindelibleimpactonHeidegger'sunderstandingofmodernpolitics. Infact,itwouldnotbemuchofanexaggerationtosaythathis "option"forNationalSocialismintheearly1930Swasbasedonthe suppositionthatNazismwasthelegitimateembodimentofthe Arbeitergesellschaft(societyofworkers)thathadbeenprophesied byJngerandwhich,assuch,representedtheheroicovercomingof WesternnihilismascalledforbyNietzscheandSpengler.In"The Rectorship193334:FactsandThoughts"(1945),Heideggerreadily admitstheenormityofJnger'sinfluenceonhiscomprehensionof contemporaryhistory:
ThewayIalreadyviewedthehistoricalsituationatthattime[i.e.,inthe early1930S]maybeindicatedwithareference.In1930,ErnstJnger's essayon"TotalMobilization"appeared;inthisessaythefundamental outlinesofhis1932bookTheWorkerarearticulated.Inasmallgroup,I discussedthesewritingsatthistime,alongwithmyassistant[Werner] Brock,andattemptedtoshowhowinthemanessentialcomprehensionof Nietzsche'smetaphysicsisexpressed,insofarasthehistoryandthe contemporarysituationoftheWestisseenandforeseeninthehorizonof thismetaphysics.Onthebasisofthesewritings,andevenmoreessentially onthebasisoftheirfoundations,wereflectedonwhatwastocome,i.e., wesoughttherebytoconfrontthelaterindiscussions.n2

Inhislecturesofthelate1930S,Heideggerwouldcriticallydistance himselffromNietzsche'smetaphysics.Intheearly1930S,however, hisrelationtoNietzschewasfarfromcritical.Instead,atthistime, heclearlyviewedthehistoricalpotentialsoftheNazimovementits "innertruthandgreatness,"ashewouldremarkinAnIntroduction toMetaphysics(1935)inamannerconsistentwiththedoctrinesof NietzscheandJnger;thatis,asaresurgenceofanewheroicethos,a "willtopower,"thatwouldplaceGermanyintheforefrontofa movementdirectedtowardthe"selfovercoming"ofbourgeois nihilism.Thus,followingtheargumentsetforthbyJngerinThe Worker,inwhich[pg122]"thesoldierworker"isviewedasanew social"type"("Gestalt")whoisinfatuatedwithrisk,danger,heroism, and,assuch,representstheantithesistothetimorous"bourgeois," HeideggerviewsNazismasaNietzscheanJngerian Arbeitergesellschaftinstatunascendi. OneofthemostprescientcontemporaryreviewsofWarand

WarriorswaswrittenbyWalterBenjamin.Theessenceof Benjamin'sviewswasconveyedunambiguouslybythetitlehechose forhiscommentary,"TheoriesofGermanFascism."Oneofhis centralinsightsconcernsthepeculiarly"aestheticist"tenorof Jnger'sappreciationofmodernwarfare.OrasBenjaminexpresses it,"Thisnewtheoryofwar...isnothingotherthananunrestrained transpositionofthethesesofl'artpourl'arttowar."n3For BenjaminthesalientfeatureofJnger'sglorificationofwarliesin thefactthatitisnotsomuchaquestionoftheendsforwhichoneis fighting,butoftheintrinsicvalueofwarasanendinitself.Andthus, warbecomesatypeofaestheticspectacletobeenjoyedforitsown sake.OrasJngerhimself,speakingoftheunprecedentedcarnageof theFirstWorldWar,observes:"Wheneverweconfronteffortsof suchproportions,possessingthespecialqualityof'uselessness' ['Zwecklosigkeit']say,theerectionofmightyconstructionslike pyramidsandcathedrals,orwarsthatcallintoplaytheultimate mainspringsoflifeeconomicexplanations,nomatterhow illuminating,arenotsufficient."

Notes

I.ErnstJnger,KampfalsinneresErlebnis(Berlin,1922),p.57. 2.MartinHeidegger,DieSelbstbehauptungderdeutschenUniversitat/DasRektorat T93334(Frankfurt:Klostermann,1985),p.24;translatedinthisvolumeas"The SelfAssertionoftheGermanUniversity." 3.WalterBenjamin,GesammelteSchriftenIII(Frankfurt:Suhrkamp,1972),P240.