John T. Flynn
Full Name and Common Aliases
John T. Flynn was a renowned American journalist, author, and critic of totalitarianism.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on January 24, 1880, in New York City, John Thomas Flynn passed away on July 25, 1965, at the age of 85.
Nationality and Profession(s)
John T. Flynn was an American journalist by profession, but his scope extended far beyond mere reporting. He was also a writer, critic, and historian who left an indelible mark on American intellectual life.
Early Life and Background
Flynn's early life laid the foundation for his later pursuits. Born into a family of modest means in New York City, Flynn developed a keen interest in writing at a young age. He began working as a journalist while still in his teens, eventually becoming a reporter for several notable publications. His early experiences shaped his worldview and instilled in him a strong sense of social justice.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his illustrious career, Flynn was involved in numerous endeavors that showcased his multifaceted talents:
He served as the national correspondent for the American Mercury magazine from 1925 to 1933.
Flynn wrote several influential books on economics and politics, including "The Road to Hell" (1936) and "While You Slept" (1940).
His critiques of fascism and communism earned him recognition as a leading anti-totalitarian voice of his time.Notable Works or Actions
Some of John T. Flynn's notable works include:
As We Go Marching (1944): A seminal book that offered an in-depth analysis of the rise of totalitarian regimes worldwide.
While You Slept (1940): This collection of essays highlighted the dangers posed by appeasement policies, particularly with regard to Nazi Germany.Impact and Legacy
Flynn's impact on American intellectual life extends far beyond his own generation. His tireless critiques of totalitarianism helped shape public opinion during World War II and continue to inspire new generations of thinkers:
Flynn's concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and individual freedoms have become increasingly relevant in contemporary America.
The American conservative movement, which he played a significant role in shaping, continues to draw upon his ideas.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John T. Flynn is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
Pioneering anti-totalitarian thought: Flynn's scathing critiques of fascism and communism helped shape the American public's understanding of these ideologies.
* Fierce commitment to individual liberties: His unwavering advocacy for civil rights and personal freedoms has inspired countless individuals across generations.
Quotes by John T. Flynn
Fascism is not the result of dictatorship – dictatorship is the product of fascism.
Little by little the government must be made stronger, the rights of the citizens before the government must be reduced. Little by little, if the Planned Economy is to be made to work, the free republic must wither. These two ideas – the idea of a free republic and the idea of a Planned Economy – cannot live together.
The “spendthrift” Hoover was in California at his Palo Alto home putting his own affairs in order, while the great Economizer who had denounced Hoover’s deficits had now produced in 100 days a deficit larger than Hoover had produced in two years.
The CIO put up half a million dollars for Roosevelt’s 1936 campaign and provided him with an immense group of active labor workers who played a large part in the sweeping victory he won at the polls.
But alas, the most terrifying aspect of the whole fascist episode is the dark fact that most of its poisons are generated not by evil men or evil peoples, but by quite ordinary men in search of an answer to the baffling problems that beset every society. Nothing could have been further from the minds of most of them than the final brutish and obscene result. The gangster comes upon the stage only when the scene has been made ready for him by his blundering precursors.
The line between fascism and Fabian socialism is very thin. Fabian socialism is the dream. Fascism is Fabian socialism plus the inevitable dictator.
All that is needed to set us definitely on the road to a Fascist society is war. It will of course be a modified form of Fascism at first.
The so-called Christian virtues of humility, love, charity, personal freedom, the strong prohibitions against violence, murder, stealing, lying, cruelty-all these are washed away by war. The greatest hero is the one who kills the most people. Glamorous exploits in successful lying and mass stealing and heroic vengeance are rewarded with decorations and public acclaim.
At the end of all this, Russia held in her hands a vast belt of land running from the Baltic sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south, comprising eleven nations with a population of 100 million people.