Elven Supremacy, Fascism and Vengeance.

In the game of World of Warcraft there are two primary elven races. The Nature oriented Nightelves and the Arcane Magic oriented Bloodelves. The latter race is the progeny of former members of the former race when the arcane was outlawed for fear of demonic interventions. The logic was that overuse of magic attracted their attention the first time and druidism (a form of nature magic) saved them, thus the new must replace the old. The group of Arcane elite, called Highborne, refused to give up their livelihood and were thus exiled. A large portion fled across the ocean to recreate a ‘magic utopia’ and eventually transformed into highelves. Therefore, when the eventual return of the demonic forces arrived, the nightelves blamed the use of magic by ‘younger races’. After the demonic forces and their undead allies had laid waste to the Highelves home and corrupted the Sunwell, their fount of magic, they highelves realized that they were horribly addicted to the permeating Arcane energies emanating from it. Thus, when their last remaining member of royal blood declared them ‘Bloodelves’ in memory of the large number of fallen and that he had a ‘cure’ for the addiction most flocked to him. The said cure turned out to be demonic energy, and their Prince was simply attempting garner favour from the Half-Demon Illidan and their demonic master Kil'jaeden. Now loathed by their former allies who already mistrusted them, Blood elves found allies in their former enemies: the orcs, trolls and Freewilled Undead. (Though as now members of the Horde they were now allied with the Tauren, both races were never truly at war with each other.) Nightelven society, on the other-hand, had been left untouched by time. The only change came when the second demonic invasion ended with the destruction of their source for immortality, the World Tree. Nightelves when presented the choice of allying with the two dominant factions.  The shamanistic Orcs, whom their fellow druids the Tauren had already joined for saving their race from extinction, or Humans whom worship an abstact notion of ‘Light’ as an embodiment of good and whose allies had not even a passing similarity with them, except for not being grotesque.  The nature and moon worshipping Nightelves chose the latter. Now my bias as to the possible reason of their choosing humans over orcs is evident but I am not arguing that point. The other debate my social circle has is whether the Nightelves and/or Bloodelves are fascist.

First, let us look at what scholars agree on fascism. According to Wikipedia’s section on ‘Definitions of Fascism’ “Most scholars agree that a "fascist regime" is foremost an authoritarian form of government, although not all authoritarian regimes are fascist. Authoritarianism is thus a defining characteristic, but most scholars will say that more distinguishing traits are needed to make an authoritarian regime fascist.” Nightelves’ acknowledged ruler is Tyrande Whisperwind. She is also the leader of the Church of Elune, their primary faith. Her husband, Malfurion Stormrage, is as respected as her and is also the most powerful of the Druids, priest of the Nature-worshipping cult. Nightelves would be considered Authoritarian since the ancestors of the Bloodelves and Highelves were exiled for not conforming to the Church of Elune and Druidic elite’s vision. Bloodelves follow a Hereditary Monarchy, and the society is ruled primarily by the Nobility and certain individuals who’ve set themselves above the rabble in their chosen field. Thus, both fall under this criterion but an authoritarian government is not the only aspect.

One of the most respected documents on the definition of fascism is "Eternal Fascism" by Umberto Eco. The features of fascism he lists are as follows:

• "The Cult of Tradition", combining cultural syncretism with a rejection of modernism (often disguised as a rejection of capitalism).

The first aspect is found in nightelf tradition and not in bloodelf. Bloodelves embrace any method that will allow them to achieve a higher level of power. Personal, national and person power is the goal of every bloodelf. Nightelves focus on maintaining things as much as possible the way they were before the arrival of the second demonic invasion. They reject Arcane magic and new technology. Syncretism was found in the nightelven meshing of druidism into their society, but bloodelves also syncretisised the ‘Church of the Light’ with arcane magic and even demonic magic.  

• "The Cult of Action for Action's Sake", which dictates that action is of value in itself, and should be taken without intellectual reflection. This, says Eco, is connected with anti-intellectualism and irrationalism, and often manifests in attacks on modern culture and science.

The second point is found equally in both, but not to the point of wholly destruction of Intellectual pursuits. Though, nightelves are far more restrictive in what exactly one may pursue.

• "Disagreement Is Treason" - fascism devalues intellectual discourse and critical reasoning as barriers to action.

Both races have elements of the third. The rejection of the Highborne for disobeying the prohibition of the use of arcane magic is the case of Nightelves element of the next point. The ejection of the Highelves for refusing to take demonic energies is the instance for the bloodelves.

• "Fear of Difference", which fascism seeks to exploit and exacerbate, often in the form of racism or an appeal against foreigners and immigrants.

Both races believe that they are inherently superior to all other races, though boodelves also believe in pan-elven superiority. Also, when the nightelves first met orcs and humans their reaction was to attack. Instead of attempting to parley with these new peoples, they tried to annihilate them until they had no choice but to ally with them or risk the Apocalypse.

• "Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class", fearing economic pressure from the demands and aspirations of lower social groups.

The Highborne were the upper class of Nightelven society, so their current of government is run by the middle class. Bloodelves still work with the upper class in mind.

• "Obsession with a Plot" and the hyping-up of an enemy threat. This often involves an appeal to xenophobia or the identification of an internal security threat. He cites Pat Robertson's book The New World Order as a prominent example of a plot obsession.

Nightelves are obsessed with inciting demonic invasion. Bloodelves believe all other races are out to get them, save perhaps the Forsaken (free willed undead) whom are ruled by a former High Elven Hero.  

• "Pacifism Is Trafficking with the Enemy" because "Life is Permanent Warfare" - there must always be an enemy to fight.

Nightelven constant vigilance against demonic and foreign invasion and Bloodelven’s belief in never be defeated or caught weak again.

• "Contempt for the Weak" - although a fascist society is elitist, everybody in the society is educated to become a hero.

Only bloodelves follow this criterion. Bloodelves look down upon any and all forms of weakness.

• "Selective Populism" - the People have a common will, which is not delegated but interpreted by a leader. This may involve doubt being cast upon a democratic institution, because "it no longer represents the Voice of the People".

Neither race ever had democracy. That said, since Nightelves are run by their religious leader it could be seen as a form of selective populism. But only loosely so.

•             "Newspeak" - fascism employs and promotes an impoverished vocabulary in order to limit critical reasoning.

Both races have intense pride in their languages. Thus, they would never impoverish it.

            My conclusion based on this is that either both are not fascist, or both are equally fascist. Personally I feel both are simply Xenophobic elitists that associate themselves with ‘lesser races’ out of sheer convenience and necessity. So, if you wish to decide which race is better for you to play lore-wise, the choice is: do you prefer a society that when the universe said “Hey, you can worship the light, but you will get none of the Priestly and Paladin magics that come with it.” They responded “Watch me.” and used magic to force it. Alternatively, nightelves are a race that worships Nature, dreams of a world covered in trees, and wants nothing else but to live forever.