Kalergi: The Most Misunderstood Man

by Arjuna and Zoltanous

Introduction

The perspectives of Kalergi are frequently misconstrued, sometimes deliberately. Some political factions have spotlighted him, advocating for a so-called "Kalergi Plan" aimed at fostering racial diversity in Europe. Their premise is based on two fabricated quotations, wrongly attributing Kalergi with a Jewish ancestry, even though he was of Austrian and Japanese descent, not Jewish, although his wife was Jewish. It's also important to clarify that he never championed the eradication of the White race. When Kalergi put forth the idea of a future mixed-race Europe, it was a forecast based on the path he thought Europe might take if it didn't achieve unity.

These highly questionable and unsubstantiated claims can be attributed to two fabricated quotes, according to them:

Such fabricated quotes have prompted prominent White Nationalists like Nick Fuentes, during a debate with Destiny, to express:

“As you know, the Kalergi Plan was a plan that was formulated by a Jewish person who was instrumental in the United Nations, and he postulated — I think it was immediately before or during WWII — that the grand scheme that he wanted to see was massive immigration into Germany from North Africa to, in his own words, ‘breed out the war strains of the German people.’”

— Nick Fuentes, Immigration Debate With Nicholas J. Fuentes

In a second debate, he rephrases this a bit:

“The Kalergi Plan was to create this global race of Asiatic-Afro-Europeans that are stupid and can be lorded over.”

— Nick Fuentes, Debating Immigration With Nick Fuentes

In essence, this concept encapsulates the common anti-Jewish conspiracy theory, lacking originality. Unlike other theories such as the Kaufman Plan or Hooton Plan, which are rooted in reality, the Kalergi Plan is entirely unfounded. Although less widespread today, the Kalergi Plan was widely disseminated across the internet during the Alt-Right era (2015-2020).

The worldwide Google trends data for “Kalergi Plan” searches

The alleged Kalergi Plan is a misconstruction, either born out of ignorance or deliberate deceit by White Nationalists. They not only use these two counterfeit quotes but also misinterpret two passages from Kalergi's lesser-known and seldom-read book, Practical Idealism, which was published in 1925 following World War I. These beliefs stem from the work of German neo-Nazi Gerd Honsik and his book Rassismus legal? Halt dem Kalergi Plan! published in 2005. However, the individual responsible for spreading this alleged Kalergi Myth is Dimitra Ekmektsis, a self-proclaimed supporter of QAnon, in her book titled Practical Idealism: The Kalergi Plan to Destroy European Peoples. These two statements, I lifted from the original German version of the book, also serve as the key points for this unfounded theory:

“The man of the future will be of mixed race. Today's races and classes will gradually disappear owing to the vanishing of space, time, and prejudice. The Eurasian-Negroid race of the future, similar in its appearance to the Ancient Egyptians, will replace the diversity of peoples with a diversity of individuals.”

“Instead of destroying European Jewry, Europe, against its own will, refined and educated this people into a future leader-nation through this artificial selection process. No wonder that this people, that escaped Ghetto-Prison, developed into a spiritual nobility of Europe. Therefore a gracious Providence provided Europe with a new race of nobility by the Grace of Spirit. This happened at the moment when Europe's feudal aristocracy became dilapidated, and thanks to Jewish emancipation.”

— Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, Practical Idealism

Many individuals have misconstrued these two quotes, assuming they provide proof of Kalergi's supposed grand strategy for establishing a Jewish elite in a multicultural, globalized society. But, this reading is highly dubious. Upon careful examination, Kalergi's comments appear more as impartial, long-term forecasts rather than explicit endorsements. Moreover, when one considers the broader context of Kalergi's original book, it's evident that he actually underscores the negatives of racial intermingling, arguing it results in degeneration with marginal potential advantages. It's also highly unlikely that he could concoct a plan to wipe out the White race within a brief four-page section of his book.

The second quote, although distinct in its voice, bears resemblances to the rhetoric of individuals like Kevin MacDonald. Contemporary anti-Semites have echoed Kalergi's sentiment, proposing that historical conditions within Jewish societies led to the evolution of higher intelligence. However, it's worth noting that Kalergi had a more favorable perspective towards Jews, aligning him more with the pro-Zionist wing of fascism, which was relatively minor. These selectively extracted quotes from Kalergi's comprehensive work have aided in fabricating the "Kalergi Myth," depicting the half-Austrian, half-Japanese noble as the architect of an alleged "malevolent globalist plot" to "eliminate the White race." The decrease in "White demographics" can't be traced back to any of Kalergi's actions or plans. What we have here is an overreaching and out-of-context interpretation of evidence.

A photo of an aged Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi

What Kalergi Actually Thinks

In his 1925 book Practical Idealism, Kalergi made predictions based on observations of geopolitical, economic, and commercial developments of the modern era. His proposed solution to preserve Europe and its people from a potentially bleak future was a European Union inspired by Italian Fascism. However, his words have been distorted and misinterpreted to convey a different meaning. Kalergi was simply highlighting the evident trends unfolding in the future, rather than advocating for something abnormal or unexpected.

During the time Kalergi wrote his book, Europe was still recovering from the aftermath of the devastating Great War. The war had claimed a generation, cities were destroyed, and tensions were high with the rise of nationalism in Germany and the presence of the Soviet Union in the East. Given the horrors of modern warfare, many people desired to prevent another war. Kalergi shared this sentiment. While some entertained ideas like the Altrantropa project for European peace or defended the League of Nations, Kalergi sought something different and more radical that could effectively work. This led him to develop the blueprint for a united Europe.

Kalergi drew inspiration from the ambitions of Imperial German leadership, particularly the concept of Mittleeurope, which aimed to establish an economic union centered around Germany, making other European countries economically dependent on Germany to establish German hegemony in Europe. Kalergi had a similar idea but considered the situation far more severe. It was no longer solely about Germany's geopolitical influence. He feared that another catastrophic war would lead to further loss of European lives and potentially result in their eventual extinction through race-mixing/replacement level immigration. In Practical Idealism, he was warning Europeans about this potential future if Europe did not unite and resist Russian or Anglo-American dominance in the event of another war. He was not advocating for Europeans to be bred out of existence through race-mixing.

In the relatively obscure manuscript Untied From Materialism, Kalergi presents a compelling argument for the implementation of eugenics on a vast scale, drawing philosophical influence from Nietzsche’s concepts of "heroic and aesthetic ethics." He shares a profound concern regarding the potential global shift towards democratization, theorizing it would lead to a future where "inferior races" could overshadow Europeans in a society that favors sheer numbers over intrinsic merit. To combat what he perceives as an impending decline of European civilization, Kalergi introduces a trio of solutions aimed at reversing this trend:

1. Idealistic Worldview: He champions a significant shift away from a materialistic outlook towards one that is fundamentally idealistic, placing higher value on spiritual and intellectual growth rather than material wealth.

2. Heroic Ethics: Drawing inspiration from Nietzsche, Kalergi advocates for a set of principles that underscore bravery, ambition, and the pursuit of greatness. He believes that such values could elevate both individuals and entire societies to unprecedented heights of achievement and purpose.

3. Aristocratic Politics: Kalergi proposes a governance model led by an elite cadre of the most able and enlightened, asserting that such leadership would safeguard against the dilution of governance quality by the masses, thus mitigating the risk of mediocrity.

These beliefs of Kalergi were significantly shaped by the intellectual contributions of figures such as Charles-Irénée Castel de Saint-Pierre, Immanuel Kant, Hegel, Giuseppe Mazzini, Victor Hugo, Rudolf Kjellén, Oswald Spengler, Arthur Schopenhauer, and obviously Friedrich Nietzsche. These influences were pivotal in shaping Kalergi's perspective on how to counteract the challenges facing European society. He believed that adopting these core principles was critical for revitalizing the cultural and political landscape of Europe, aiming to elevate its status on the world stage once again. Kalergi was particularly concerned about the emergence of mediocrity, viewing it as a threat that could dilute societal values if left unchecked by the forces of rampant democratization and materialism. His vision was for a society that prioritized intellectual depth, artistic excellence, and moral integrity, all guided by leaders with foresight and wisdom. This, he argued, would steer Europe away from a potential downward spiral and towards a future marked by distinction and influence. Additionally, Kalergi's interest in eugenics was influenced by Madison Grant and Margaret Sanger, highlighting his belief in the need for societal improvement through selective breeding. He pinpointed three significant dangers to Europe's stability: internal disputes, economic regression, and the vulnerability of a divided continent to domination by external powers such as Russia, the United States, and the British Empire.

Kalergi's passionate advocacy for the unification of Europe also stemmed from his vehement stance against Bolshevism. As someone who held the aristocratic values and social structures of the medieval period in high esteem, similar to the perspectives of thinkers like Julius Evola, Kalergi found the Soviet Union's emphasis on revolutionary proletarianism deeply antithetical to his beliefs. He saw the rise of the Soviet Union not just as a political challenge, but as a direct threat to the aristocratic principles he cherished. For Kalergi, the establishment of a cohesive European entity was crucial in effectively countering the Soviet influence. This belief formed the core of his pan-European philosophy. In his landmark Pan-European Manifesto published in 1923, Kalergi laid out his vision for European integration, proposing a blueprint for what he termed a "New World Order," which aimed at transcending national divisions to create a united front against external ideological threats.

Kalergi’s New World Order mapped out

Kalergi's project of European unity exhibits a clear anti-Communist inclination. Additionally, he openly supports the idea of European colonial dominance over other races deemed inferior, as well as advocating for Japan's domination over China. These viewpoints are evident from the Pan-European Manifesto. In his analysis of international politics, echoes of early-twentieth-century geopolitical thinkers like Halford Mackinder or Karl Haushofer can be detected, the latter being a friend of the Kalergi family.

Kalergi likened Russia's role in relation to Europe to that of ancient Macedonia's relationship with Greece. Before Philip II's reign, the Greeks underestimated Macedonia, which was then disorganized and weak. However, Philip's leadership transformed Macedonia into a formidable power, overshadowing the declining Greek civilizations within two decades. Kalergi cautioned that under a communist dictatorship, Russia might similarly strengthen rapidly, bolstered by good harvests and investment from countries like America or Germany. He argued that Europe's small, divided states would be vulnerable to Russian expansion, with only the Rhine, Alps, and Adriatic as initial barriers, until Europe itself could become a western outpost of Russia. This potential domination by Russia was Kalergi's paramount concern for Europe's future. Furthermore, in an open letter to Mussolini penned in 1923, Kalergi expressed his apprehensions about Europe's challenge in preserving its sovereignty against the political dominances of the United States and Russia.

"As heir to Marius and Caesar, you, sir, have the power to postpone this new upheaval for many centuries. For it will depend largely on your attitude in this present crisis whether Europe is in future to confront Eurasia on the line of the Dniester and the [Pripet] Swamps-or on that of the Rhine and the Alps."

— Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi quoted in Hitler's Cosmopolitan Bastard by Martyn Bond

To counter this imminent danger, Kalergi believes that the only salvation lies in European unity. A united Europe, according to him, would not face a significant threat from Russia, as Europe possesses a larger population and more advanced industries compared to Russia. Therefore, the solution to the Russian danger, in Kalergi's perspective, lies not in Russia itself, but in the unity of European nations. It is worth noting that this idea of Europe coming together to confront the threat posed by Moscow is reminiscent of the propaganda propagated by the Nazis, particularly after their failed attempt to conquer Russia at the Battle of Stalingrad.

Nazi pan-European and anti-Bolshevik propaganda

Kalergi's manifesto explicitly expresses his belief in European dominance over a significant portion of Africa.

“Pan-Europa includes the peninsula between Russia, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea; extending to Iceland and the colonies the European states. The large European colony, located between Tripoli, the Congo, Morocco, and including Portuguese Africa, could supply it with raw materials rationally managed by Europe.”

— Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, Pan-European Manifesto

Kalergi's stance on maintaining the British Empire was notably aligned with that of his Austrian contemporary, Adolf Hitler.

“From many sides, the inclusion of England is required in the future Pan Europa. This claim fails because of the federal construction of the British Empire. The Dominions would never tolerate England swinging towards a closer relationship with another state system other than them; so that makes the connection of the British Empire to Pan-Europa unworkable. The connection of the British Empire to a federal Pan-Europa lapses because of the impossibility of transforming Canada into a European state. The consequence of this attempt in America would be the swallowing of Canada in the Pan American Union and the disintegration of the British Empire.”

— Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, Pan-European Manifesto

It seems that Kalergi held a nuanced view that might align with the principles behind Brexit. Fascinatingly, Kalergi's depiction of "Ostasia" as a region dominated by China and Japan, reminiscent of the Japanese Empire's ambitions, seems to have influenced George Orwell's creation of one of the superstates in his novel 1984. This portrayal reflects the period's geopolitical dynamics, with Japan as a burgeoning power and China in political strife, mirroring the historical Japanese goal for regional supremacy through the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere.

In the broader context of European politics, Kalergi's advocacy for a unified Europe shares some ideological ground with the visions of figures like Pierre Drieu La Rochelle and Sir Oswald Mosley, who imagined Europe as a peaceful and democratic entity. This vision contrasts with Hitler's aggressive expansionist agenda, highlighting a preference for cooperation over conquest. Kalergi's influence and ideas contributed significantly to the early conceptualization of what would eventually evolve into the European Union (EU). The first Pan-European Conference in 1926, fueled by the success of "Pan-Europa," marked a significant milestone, drawing support from renowned figures such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, and Winston Churchill, showcasing the movement's potential. Kalergi also explored the idea of adopting a fascist-inspired approach for Europe. He envisioned a "future European corporative assembly" tasked with addressing complex economic challenges across the continent from a unified perspective. He believed that the combination of aristocratic and democratic principles within the Italian Fascist constitution could serve as an effective model for achieving European unity.

“The Fascist constitution could have a value that is more than purely Italian, but could be more generally European insofar as it expresses a wise mixture of the authoritarian aristocratic principle with what can be healthy in the democratic principle. It concedes room to justice and the enlightened command of superior personalities, and at the same time gives a solid base to the principle of identity, free adherence, and cooperation, by disciplining every power in the name of the higher idea of the nation. The European soul, as I conceive it, is characterized by three fundamental components: heroism, personality, and sociality. Since the Fascist solution includes all three in a wise equilibrium, so it presents itself as the most suitable one for assuming a character of European universality.”

— Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi quoted in A Traditionalist Confronts Fascism by Julius Evola

Though initially drawn to the allure of fascism movement, he later made deliberate efforts to dissociate his Pan-European project from such affiliations, especially after 1932 when the movement introduced uniforms that bore a striking resemblance to those worn by fascist groups, sparking significant controversy. Faced with obstacles, including the banishment of the Pan-European movement by Hitler in 1933, Kalergi tirelessly worked to build opposition to the Nazi dictatorship, even seeking, though ultimately failing, to win over Mussolini. His dialogue with influential personalities, including Julius Evola who lauded him in A Traditionalist Confronts Fascism, illustrates the significant impact and the intricate weave of thoughts that contributed to the early attempts at European unification.

A pretty Fashy flag, if you ask me

The structure of the EU is often criticized for its perceived autocratic nature. If the EU were to distance itself from the liberal democratic ideals that currently dominate Europe and break free from the perceived tyranny of the Globalist American Empire, it could potentially achieve the parts of the vision advocated by Hitler, Kalergi, Rochelle, and Mosley. This vision entails a united European Empire and as a sovereign civilization with Germany at its core, leading Europe independently from America, Great Britain, and Eurasia. Despite his openness to social democratic policies, Kalergi maintained an aristocratic perspective styled by Otto von Bismarck for society. He believed that the project of European renewal could only be realized if the elite classes of Europe recognized their role and undertook a process of self-renewal. It is worth noting that Kalergi himself embraced authoritarianism for this reason.

"Today, democracy is the facade of plutocracy: because the peoples would not tolerate naked plutocracy, nominal power is left to them, while de facto power rests in the hands of plutocrats. In both republican and monarchical democracies, the statesmen are puppets, the capitalists are the masterminds: they dictate the guidelines of politics, they control the voters through the purchase of public opinion, they control the ministers through business and social relations."

— Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, Practical Idealism

In The Totalitarian State Against Man, Kalergi expressed his endorsement of corporatist economic structures that were founded on agricultural cooperatives. He found inspiration in the organic federalist tradition of Switzerland, a country that emerged in opposition to the Habsburgs, and its concentric authority system. This system operated hierarchically, starting from families to communes, communes to cantons, and ultimately leading to a continental federation. These corporatist concepts, which were rooted in a fascistic ideology, were supported by an aristocratic ideal with imperial origins, rejecting both democracy and dictatorship. During the inter-war period, the Austrian government played a significant role in supporting these ideas and provided backing to Kalergi until Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss's assassination by the Nazis.

By 1937, Coudenhove-Kalergi's disillusionment with Fascism had reached its peak. In his writings from that year, he expressed deep concerns about the unfolding revolution, characterizing it as a perilous shift where the state turned against humanity. He vehemently criticized what he saw as the most egregious form of idolization: “the deification of the state.” Following his escape to the United States in 1940 seeking refuge. His unwavering objective now was to prevent the resurgence of Nazism and counter the detrimental influences of Western Liberalism and Soviet communism. It was during this crucial period that his collaboration with Archduke Otto von Habsburg truly flourished. In the aftermath of the second world war, Kalergi maintained an unwavering commitment to his Pan-European vision despite the dominance of Communist rule in Eastern Europe. The movement gradually shifted its focus towards the Conservative Right, inspiring notable politicians such as Konrad Adenauer and Alcide De Gasperi. He frequently emphasized the importance of restoring the legacy of Charlemagne and reuniting Medieval Christendom. In a significant milestone, he revisited Japan in 1967, marking his first return since childhood. Emperor Hirohito bestowed upon him the prestigious First Order of the Sacred Treasure.

In 1970, Kalergi made a poignant final visit to his birthplace. Kalergi passed away unexpectedly in 1972 in Schruns, Austria. While officially attributed to a stroke, speculation surrounds the circumstances of his death, with some suggesting the possibility of it being a self-inflicted act. He was laid to rest in a private funeral held at the family parish. Otto von Habsburg assumed leadership of the Pan-European Movement, which endures to this day, dedicated to promoting a united and Christian Europe comprised of independent nations. Sadly, Coudenhove-Kalergi's remarkable legacy in the modern world remains marred by propaganda that falsely portrays him as a destroyer of the very Europe he devoted his life to serving.

A video for more information

Conclusions

If we disregard Kalergi's occasional positive remarks about the Jewish community, it becomes evident that he could be perceived as having "fascist" leanings, with views most similar to Oswald Mosley after World War 2. Instead, what we observe here is the inclination of White Nationalists to uncritically embrace conspiracies, resulting in a loss of objectivity, heightened paranoia, and a sense of being oppressed. It is crucial to recognize that this approach lacks efficacy in effecting meaningful change. Contrary to popular belief, Kalergi was not a sinister Left-wing globalist with an anti-European agenda driven by “White genocide”; in fact, quite the opposite. Upon careful examination of Kalergi's stance, it becomes evident where he stood. The ideas conveyed in the Pan-European Manifesto demonstrate a deep affection for Europe, placing him next to figures like Richard Spencer. Furthermore, if White Nationalists have been misguided regarding this central myth, it raises questions about what other misconceptions they may have propagated. Kalergi's case serves as yet another example of how ill-informed individuals have transformed an ideology into a cult-like doctrine due to their inability to grasp information presented to them in books, particularly those that seem reminiscent of Evola and Mosley.

Assessing the significance of Kalergi's work necessitates a comprehensive and objective evaluation, given that his vision for a unified Europe sharply contrasted with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Hitler's hostility towards Kalergi was not precipitated by the so-called "Kalergi plan" but rather by Kalergi's advocacy for a unified, democratic Europe — a concept derided by Hitler as a misguided form of "democratic Europeanism." Hitler, along with his chief ideologue Alfred Rosenberg, criticized this idea for its attempt to integrate ethnically diverse European populations, accusing it of being a scheme particularly advantageous to Jews, as it was allegedly supported by "the stock market and Jewish journalists." Kalergi's vision, which stood in direct opposition to the Nordic-centric ideals espoused by the Nazis. Furthermore, Hitler's disdain for Kalergi was fueled by Kalergi's aristocratic lineage, his support for Jews, and his own mixed heritage, which led Hitler to derogatorily refer to him as a "cosmopolitan bastard." This deep-rooted animosity highlights the fundamental clash between Kalergi's vision of a pacifist, inclusive Europe and the Nazis' agenda of expansionism and racial Nordicism.

“We know from past experience that lasting unions can only take place when the peoples in question are of equal racial quality and related, and second, when their union takes place in the shape of the slow process of a struggle for hegemony.”

“The attempt to realize the pan-European idea through a purely formal union of European peoples, without being brought by force in centuries-long battles by a European supreme power, will lead to an entity whose entire strength and energy will be absorbed by internal rivalries and conflicts – as happened once with the strength of the German tribes in the German Confederation. Not until the internal German question was ultimately solved by Prussian superiority could the nation exert its united strength outward.”

“The pan-European movement rests from the beginning on the fundamental basic mistake that quality of population can be made up for with quantity of population. This is a purely mechanical view of history that completely avoids exploring the forces that shape life; instead, it sees numerical majorities not only as the creative sources of human culture but also as the history-forming factors. This view fits as well with the pointlessness of our western democracy as with the cowardly pacifism of our leading business circles. It is obvious that this is the ideal of all inferior or half-breed bastards. Likewise, that the Jew particularly welcomes such a concept, in its consistent observance leads to racial chaos and confusion, to a bastardization and niggerization of civilized humanity, and finally to such a deterioration in its racial value that the Hebrew who keeps himself free from it can gradually rise to be masters of the world. At least he imagines that he can one day become the brain of this humanity that has been made worthless.”

— Adolf Hitler, Second Book

Kalergi's affiliation with Freemasonry also attracted scrutiny. Nevertheless, in the aftermath of World War II, his concepts advocating for European integration began to resonate significantly in Western circles, eventually influencing the establishment of the EU. Over time, Kalergi also distanced himself from his earlier, somewhat favorable views on fascism, reflecting an ideological shift. To comprehensively evaluate Kalergi's legacy, it’s imperative to consider his associations and place his contributions within their historical context. This approach reveals the complexity of his influence. Supporters of the EU, as well as backers of the Azov Battalion and critics of Russia, might see Kalergi's ideas as aligning with their own, viewing him as a forerunner of their movements. In this light, proponents of today's EU and certain factions within neo-Nazism, particularly those supportive of the Azov Battalion, could be regarded as ideologically connected to Kalergi's vision. However, many White Nationalists fervently dispute this association, instead circulating unfounded conspiracy theories. In contemporary times, Richard Spencer appears to share notable ideological affinities with Kalergi, particularly evident in his critical stance towards Hitler and his support for a Nietzschean form of aristocracy alongside advocacy for the European Union.