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The Mitford Affair


An explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to...
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Nancy observes that political decisions are often based on personal motivations. What do you think this means in the context of Diana and Unity? Do you think that observation applies in modern times?

Created: 01/12/23

Replies: 11

Posted Jan. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Nancy observes that political decisions are often based on personal motivations. What do you think this means in the context of Diana and Unity? Do you think that observation applies in modern times?

On a couple of occasions, as she tries to make sense of her sisters' decisions against the complicated, incendiary developments happening across Europe, Nancy observes that political decisions are often based on personal motivations. What do you think this means in the context of Diana and Unity? Do you think that observation applies in modern times?


Posted Jan. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scgirl

Join Date: 06/05/18

Posts: 245

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

I agree with the observation - political decisions are often based on personal motivations. In Diana's case, she is blinded by lust and then love for Mosley so everything she does politically is to win his favor and love. In Unity's case her motivation is to do make a name for herself and to succeed where her sisters have not, ergo her pursuit of Hitler.

Politics is about power and money. If your personal motivation is for power, your politics will reflect what you think will get you the most power. If your personal motivation is money, your politics will reflect that. This has been proven throughout history time and time again.


Posted Jan. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gabi

Join Date: 02/22/21

Posts: 99

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

Honestly, I struggled with these musings from Nancy - they seemed to come out of left field - perhaps because I don’t equate motivation with political decisions - beliefs and values, yes.


Posted Jan. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebajane

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 320

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

I think it’s very difficult to take the personal out of politics. Conservative or liberal, how one picks which way one falls is definitely personal


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ruthiea

Join Date: 02/03/14

Posts: 271

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

I think the personal has to affect the political - you choose your political viewpoints based on what is best for you, your chosen causes, as well as, if you are a moral person, for others. Sometimes you have to weigh the choices - each choice usually has pros and cons and ramifications. I understand personal benefit, but sometimes we have to see the bigger picture, and be unselfish.


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

Yes indeed. Everything is personal. Even the most altruistic of actions comes from a place of the person's view of right and wrong. In the case of Diana, her personal motivation was all about Mosley, getting him in power no matter what. For Unity, she finally found somewhere to belong where her attributes were valued and not the topic of derision (well maybe except for her pet rat). Both very person motivations.


Posted Jan. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carriem

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 237

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

I agree personal does affect ones political viewpoint and motivations and will give them the strength to act or at the least express those views to others and sometimes one has make choices with regards to family and friends==can you keep your personal refrained to maintain that relationship? And for some such Diana the only personal motivation was Mosley.


Posted Jan. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
juliep

Join Date: 04/07/12

Posts: 250

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

In Diana’s case, her personal motivation definitely influences her political viewpoint. I never really believed that she felt strongly about fascism, but because she was so besotted with M, she would do anything to promote the (his) cause. And it certainly put her in the spotlight, which she enjoyed. A more moral person, like Nancy, was able to put her beliefs and concern for her country above her personal motivation.


Posted Jan. 16, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

Personal Motivations influences political views. Does anyone think that what happened in our own House of Rep. have nothing to do with personal motivations of power and influence? Politics is all about motivation. And the personal is the number one influencer.


Posted Jan. 22, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LeceP

Join Date: 01/20/23

Posts: 13

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

Diana and Unity both were more driven by personal motivations than politics. Diana would do anything to keep Mosley and win his favor. Unity was obsessed with Hitler and being part of his inner circle.


YES! Politics is personal. Its still the driving force today. ‘


Posted Jan. 22, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reene

Join Date: 02/18/15

Posts: 497

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

I agree with Nancy's observation. Political decisions are often based on personal experiences. Certainly this was demonstrated in the case of Diana where everything from her divorce to her treasonist actions were based on her desire to be "number one" in Great Britain. In Unity's case it was her personal wish just to be accepted and appreciated, like and by her sisters. And Hitler certainly fulfilled that desire, except for his own use.


Posted Jan. 23, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyh

Join Date: 06/25/13

Posts: 347

RE: Nancy observes that political ...

Most of us seem to agree that personal motivations affect our decisions. Diana's are obvious, her love for Mosley. Unity, I believe, needed something in her life to show she was as good as her sisters. Personal motivations are certainly alive and well in the present time. Our country has become divided because of some of our differences, most of these are our personal beliefs.


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