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Crypto-politics

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Crypto-politics is the secret support for a controversial ideology. In this case, one's ideology is kept secret in order to prevent harm to one's public image because it's controversial.[1] It commonly takes the form of dog whistle politics. It's also a way to avoid criticism.

Common usage[edit]

Crypto-politics most often refers to either crypto-communism or crypto-fascism. Crypto-communism, pinkos or pinko commies, was used during the red scare as well as during Apartheid in South Africa. Crypto-fascism (or crypto-Nazi) was used by Gore Vidal ("crypto-Nazi" in his case) against William F. Buckley during one of their debates surrounding the police riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.[2] The equivalent term in German (Kryptofaschismus) has also appeared both earlier and later.[3][4]

Physiological exhaustion and time[edit]

Hiding one's true self can be physiologically exhausting:[5]

Covering up who you are on a daily basis comes at a cost: it takes time and energy and is psychologically exhausting. Respondents in the Deloitte survey said that hiding who they were was very destructive to their sense of self.

In addition, the person may not feel that they are revealing their "authentic selves".[5]

Danger of violence[edit]

Some songs are left best unsung. Virtually no one wants to hear about Nazi apologism. Public vocalization of taboo views may lead to violence against the advocate.

Examples[edit]

Ideologies[edit]

People[edit]

External links[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Red Scare: FBI and the Origins of Anticommunism in the United States, 1919-1943 by Regin Schmidt (2000) Museum Tusculanum Press. ISBN 8772895810.
  2. Vidal vs Buckley - Crypto-Nazi Debate (Best Quality) by MetrazolElectricity (Dec 5, 2012) YouTube. at time 10:45
  3. Der getreue Korrepetitor by Theodore W. Adorno (1963) S. Fischer. p. 191.
  4. "Will Ulrike Gnade oder freies Geleit?" by Heinrich Böll (10. Januar 1972) Der Spiegel.
  5. 5.0 5.1 https://www.fastcompany.com/3051111/how-hiding-your-true-self-at-work-can-hurt-your-career