Arthur de Gobineau published the
Essay on the inequality of human races
between 1853 and 1855. His thesis consisted in asserting that history merges with that of races, which obey a strict and unchanging classification and order: "
L ' humanity is divided into races according to a logical, permanent and indelible hierarchy. "
He drew three conclusions: the radical critique of democracy based on equality between individuals;
the rationale for colonization which ensured dominance of the supposedly superior white race;
the inevitable race of societies and civilizations towards nothingness due to the interbreeding of the population.
Much more than Darwin, Gobineau is therefore the inventor of racism erected as a political doctrine, based on falsely scientific postulates.
His ideas, which remained marginal in France, flourished in Germany, notably through his friendship with Wagner, and in the United States, where they were used by supporters of slavery.
They contributed
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