NAZISM: Reflection and Questions

"They were also against both communism and capitalism, blaming them both on Jews, even though that seems like a contradiction. They promised to resolve the struggles between business and labor, and originally tried to portray themselves as a non-communist alternative for the working classes. In a sense they were not lying since their strategy was to substitute racial struggle for class struggle."

I would say from the end of the 19th century the changes of the German people have been a prominent theme. This I would say is one of the major topics we are learning in this class. The idea of nihilism destroying the traditional views and ways of the system that seems to be unfulfilled to the people. Here comes Adolf Hitler as an exemplary of Max Weber "politician" character. He promised the solution for all those who wants to see change in German government and society. Can he really deliver? I say no. His party called the Nazi are a group of extremist who believes that communism, capitalism and the Jews are the problem and they take inhumane bitter-sweet measures to execute a difference, at least they think its going to bring difference.

I chose this quote because it was the lie that the Germans bought, that would cause a undo able change in the history of the nation. Lets start with communism, the Nazi were supposedly against Communism and  promise to eradicate it. Did they? No the continued it in another way because as the quote says they substitute the racial struggle for the class struggle, so no really solution was met by that. Two, Capitalism Nazi German played a big part in capitalism because manufacturing monopolies were build around war supplies and the motor industries did not always hire paid labors because they had aid from slave laborers and corporations and monopolies such as the banks and motor companies made German a capitalistic society. And three the genocide among the Jews was nothing common, natural or humane. It did not purge the race as Hitler anticipated to accomplish, and was not beneficial to Germany in no way.

1. What were some of the major reasons that led to the rise of Nazi Germany?
The people wanted a direction and a hope due to the great depression and the war. Also they identified with the lower classes of people, the promises to eradicate communism and capitalism and the breed of a true German race.

2. How did Nazis resolve conflicts between workers and owners and why was this an attractive model for business executives?
Well with the war there was a rise in war production and even motor production and with the rise of the Nazi rule there was a decrease in unemployment. So laborers were getting jobs due to industrialization and owners paid the workers less. Other employers used this same strategy and though it to be genius.

3. What is the significance of the phrase "Arbeit Macht Frei?"
"Work bring freedom" is a significant phrase to meaningful in that the initial phase of anti-Semitism was more about confiscating Jewish property and forcing them out of high positions in banks, government, universities, etc.

4. What is state capitalism and how does it relate to Nazi Germany?
State capitalism is the idea that power motive is more important than profit motive. It relates to Nazi Germany because it alludes that though the companies profiting in the production of war materials that is controlled by the interest of the state in hopes of expanding national power.

5. How would you evaluate the psychological causes of anti-semitism in the context of German society?
Totally Irrational and paranoid. Damaging and tainting to the families and survivors of the Holocaust their history will never be the same.

Max Weber: Politics as a Vocation- Reflection

"This is the decisive psychological quality of the politician: his ability to let realities work upon him with inner concentration and calmness. Hence his distance to things and men. ‘Lack of distance’ per se is one of the deadly sins of every politician. It is one of those qualities the breeding of which will condemn the progeny of our intellectuals to political incapacity. For the problem is simply how can warm passion and a cool sense of proportion be forged together in one and the same soul? Politics is made with the head, not with other parts of the body or soul. And yet devotion to politics, if it is not to be frivolous intellectual play but rather genuinely human conduct, can be born and nourished from passion alone. " (p. 115)

Max Weber makes it clear all thought his speech that being a politician is a calling as one would traditionally have to a god or a faith. The character of a politician from this point of view is very nihilistic because it not only strips the politician from a traditional honor as a professional but also his commonality of his manhood. I suppose that's what makes it a vocation, it calls that individual to be set apart.
I chose this passage because it gives a great example of the nihilistic theme. Here Weber explains that basically the profession is imbeded in the individual from his creation because he is psychologically made up to accommodate his vocation. The politician has certain characteristics such as isolation from others even parts of his own self, such as his soul. All he does is think, utilizing his inner concentration and calmness not necessary humility or happiness being the source.

Weimar Constitution

Article 14Reich laws are executed by state authorities, inasfar Reich laws do not specify otherwise.

This law simply sums up the whole constitution that in fact the laws of the Reich governs all the states of the nation making it united, being subjected to one common constitution. From other articles one will notice that from almost every aspect of Germany from the states to international affairs there are articles to serve as direction and guide lines for execution. This article also gives state authorities the authority to up hold Reich laws, with no respect to any other power. I chose this Article because it showed commonalities with the US governmental and constitutional system.

Article 115Every German's home is an asylum and inviolable. Exceptions are admissible only if based on a law.

This means that the home of a person is in a way their safe haven and not to be subjected to violation. But there are exceptions when the law allows. This was interesting because the Nazi looted and raided Jewish homes though they were German citizen, their home was no asylum for themselves or their families. I chose this Article because all do agree that Nazi Germany was a violation of human rights and even its own constitutional rights made for the citizens. I wonder how many Jewish lawyers at the time self bitter due to the nullification of such a right.

1) What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of proportional representation?

Proportional representation means that legislative seats are given based on the number of votes won by voters. this type of voting lets the election less dependent and responsive to local votes but it also eliminate the idea of wasted votes. Also this method of voting allots for multiple political parties running and increases the chance of a minority group winning.

2) What were the leading causes of the decline of the Weimar Republic?

The lack of support, inflation and the great depression.

3) What is hyperinflation?

Hyperinflation is extreme price increase due to the decrease in monetary value.

4) How would you judge the Weimar Constitution as compared to the American Constitution?

I would say overall they are similar, they had the people in mind though the laws seem to control all lot and there is all lot more articles than the american constitution. One thing is that the German constitution is very specific whereas the American constitution is very broad.