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.

The Junius Pamphlet- Reflection

“They were competing in their expansion toward the non-capitalist countries and zones of the world. As early as the eighties a strong tendency toward colonial expansion became apparent.”

                                                                                           - "The Junius Pamphlet " Rosa Luxemburg

This quote is taken from chapter three of Rosa Luxemburg essay. And she expressed this to give basic information as to how capitalism and imperialism is become a house hold name to super powers at the time; also how Germany is a big fan too of these capitalistic and imperialistic ideals. Luxemburg sees this trend as a problem between capitalistic powers over territory in there annexes. What it means to me is that capitalism and imperialism start problems between nations because it causes power struggles between greater nations. Then the problems escalades to wars.

M (1931)- Reflection and Questions

The scene I chose from the movie M is when Beckert was looking in the shop window and he saw the little girl in the mirror standing alone. He got this gleam in his eyes and his persona changed from calm to compulsive. He then follows after the young girl but when he turns the corner and saw the child being meeting with her mother he was over taken my another spirit. He then went to drink and smoke of his disappointment that he was not able to abduct her.   

How I interpret this scene is that it sums up the process of what happens to Beckert right before he strikes. The excitement that he experiences as sees these young children and the eagerness towards them as he considers the satisfaction he will get from committing this crime. Also it shows what he experiences when he doesn’t full fill his horrible murders the frustration and pressure on himself.

I chose this scene because it expresses that something is psychologically wrong with Beckert though he functions, looks like and act like all is well with him. He really is not a bad person like everyone in the movie named him to be but he is mentally unstable.

1. Discuss the evolution of police power as it is depicted in Dr. Caligari and M?

In Dr. Caligari the police are seen as less intelligent and sophisticated in there authority and judgments. They also have less power in the sense that they were more controlled by the people, whereas in M they had so much authority that some people resented them.

2. Does the killer deserve to die?

I agree with his attorney that because he is not mentally all there he should not be sentenced to death but be admitted to a psychiatric facility. He doesn’t deserve to die because he cannot help himself to make better judgments but when he gets admitted he should never be released.

3. How does the criminal’s ability to organize themselves affect their ability to capture Beckert?

Their ability to organize themselves helped them mightily in their efforts to capture Beckert.  It was secretly, unexpected and well thought out especially by assigning beggars to watch the area. It reminds me of neighborhood watch groups it is very effective since the limited number of police is not sufficient to cover larger areas.

4. How would you judge the depiction of Nazis as criminals?

The only reason I would rationalize the Nazis as criminals would be for the simple fact that they did acknowledge the law; they always took matters into their own hands. An example of this was the capturing Beckert and deciding to punish him by death their selves.

5. What is the significance of the media in this film?

Media is significant in this film because it shadowed the reality of what was occurring in society. Both positive and negative aspects were made conceptual to the target views at the time. One reason is for them to see what is going on around them if they are not already aware and also if they are aware to use the film as a tool of promotion for things to advocate for or against.

Blue Angel- Questions

1. How would you compare Rath/Lola to Siddhartha/Kamala? Both Rath and Siddhartha feel in love with women who brought out their sensual side, who gave them the feeling of love manhood beyond what they were taught from the society in which they originate. both men in a way found there downfall indirectly tied up in these women. Though Lola and Kamala did not have the most respected careers they were in a sense self sufficient and not the trophy wife types.
2. Is Lola and emancipated woman or totally impassive? I would say that she was emancipated because she did show emotion sometimes good one sometimes aggressive controlling bad ones. She defiantly wore the pants in her marriage to Professor Rath and she also stood up for her self to her boss. She does what she wants and she gets what she wants, I believe it had to do with the idea that she was an American.
3. what is the significance of the clown? In the film I see the clown as some who fell for the lifestyle, got chewed up and spit out as that, a clown. So I see the clown as a victim. When the clown came out and was looking at Professor Rath I doubt that the professor knew that was going to be his future if he tarried in such a place.
4. How is chaos thematically represented in the film? In this film chaos is represented as everything out side of strict order. Among the intellects even the presence of noise is considered chaos. Everything must be under control and that was one of the reason Professor Rath lost his job. 
5. How would you interpret the overall meaning of the film? Your life will become a living hell if you let go of who you are and roll with the tides of life. Keep order in your life it is good for you the things that are glittering and shinny is not always the best things for you.
6. Why did I compare Rath to Haussmann painting montage? would you suggest a better comparison? Rath was the subject of this comparison because he in the beginning of the film represented one who was   scholarly, proper, professional and intellectually dressed on the outside. Serious and orderly but do have inner parts(not just physical but emotional) that was common among men and humamity in the sense that he desire things that was shun to desire openly like pleasure. I think that picture fits him perfect so on better comparison is there.

Blue Angel- Reflection

The scene I choose is the scene when Lola ask Professor Rath to pass her luggage and it fell and all the post cards fell out. He then went on to demand that as long as he has a red penny, the post cards must not be sold. The following scene we witness Professor Rath in the club selling the post cards himself.
I believe this scene to be the beginning of Professor Raft downward spiral. He shifted from who he was to whom his lifestyle had made him. He was up to that point, dignified and had morals that were obvious in his persona. He was also a man of boundaries but all of it went out the window. That was his wife he did not want her to be sold to the public on a post card. He didn’t want others to see in her what he did especially now that he has made her his wife.
As a Professor he was a dignified intellectual who was not a pauper but a man belonging to the decent middle class society. Because he had been bewitched  by the club lifestyle he lost his job and his money finished. He initially told Lola that, “as long as he has a red cent she will not sell those post cards”, when we see him selling the post cards if is only fair to conclude that he has ran out of money.
I chose this scene because as I mention I see this as the beginning of his down fall. I was the first time we actually see Professor Rath smoking and sitting among the commoners or the regular people in the club scene. To see him going around selling her post called was in a way degrading for his character because he lowered his standards by selling his wife picture to other men because he can no longer afford to take care of her. I also chose this scene because it is when he gave up on himself. That was when de decided to embrace the idea that this would be his new reality, he never tried to escape this lifestyle rather he embraced it.