Abstract des Autors

The title of this second volume dealing with the male body in the iconography of Fascism reflects, of course, an ambition rather than an achievement. The supremacy of the Global Fascist Superman never became a reality but was certainly an intention. Superman Supreme explores the use of the image of the male body for this purpose in European, American and Asian Fascism of varying degrees and various interpretations, and the differences and similarities involved. Among the similarities is the fact that sport in all the cases in this volume was at the centre of the induction of the male body (and mind) into martial self-sacrifice. Sport was an important part of Fascist socialization. The reasons are not hard to find. Sport develops muscle and muscle is equated with power - literally and metaphorically. War, the essence of Fascism, demands physical fitness and sport helps promote this fitness. Competitive sport can help develop attitudes of aggression and aggression is essential in war. Verf.-Referat