Anthroposophy and Ecofascism 103

Peter Staudenmaier writes in Paragraph 30 of Anthroposophy and Ecofascism:

Anthroposophists consider this threefold structure to be "naturally ordained." [Footnote; Abendroth, p. 120.]* Its central axiom is that the modern integration of politics, economy and culture into an ostensibly democratic framework must falter because, according to Steiner, neither the economy nor cultural life can or should be structured democratically. The cultural sphere, which Steiner defined very broadly, is a realm of individual achievement where the most talented and capable should predominate. And the economy must never be subject to democratic public control because it would then collapse. Steiner's economic and political naiveté are encapsulated in his claim that capitalism "will become a legitimate capitalism if it is spiritualized."[Footnote: Steiner quoted in Thomas Divis, "Rudolf Steiner und die Anthroposophie" in ökoLinx #13 ( February 1994), p. 27.]**

* Peter Staudenmaier claims that Abendroth wrote of Steiner’s Threefold Social Order that it is "naturally ordained". Aside from the fact that the translation is by Peter Staudenmaier, the context has once again been obscured. Peter Staudenmaier would like to demonstrate a rigidity and harshness of worldview to anthroposophists that is simply not there. Steiner’s proposal itself is remarkably open and adaptable. It is couched on certain a priori premises, such as the fundamental right to individual freedom in the political sphere. If you “hold these truths to be self-evident” (borrowing from Jefferson) then it is proper to call Steiner’s view “naturally ordained”. It is “naturally ordained” that individuals should be free. If, on the other hand, you claim that economic exploitation is a requirement of Steiner’s political vision then you have simply not studied Steiner.

** This eight-word quote is not nearly as disturbing as Peter Staudenmaier would make it. If you consider it for even a moment it makes perfect sense. The basis of western liberal capitalism is that government regulation is necessary to preserve human values (spiritual beliefs and fundamental human rights) from unfettered capitalism, the very point Steiner was making that Staudenmaier calls naive. In fact, whenever Peter Staudenmaier quotes Steiner for more than a few words Steiner comes off as remarkably cogent.