‘A Feeling for Tradition and Discipline’: A Conservativism and the Thirties in The Remains of the Day

Abstract

In order to combat Fascism it is necessary to understand it, which involves admitting that it contains some good as well as much evil. … Everyone who has given the movement so much as a glance knows that the rank-and-file Fascist is often quite a well-meaning person – quite genuinely anxious, for instance, to better the lot of the unemployed. But more important than this is the fact that Fascism draws its strength from the good as well as the bad varieties of conservatism. To anyone with a feeling for tradition and discipline it comes with its appeal ready-made.