Could facism have worked in a different country like it did in Germany?

[The Godfather]

Could the same thing have happened in another country than Germany in the 30's?

Or are the Germans extraordinarily exposed to such things?


I think it was the time and circumbstances that were the main keys, combined with the leaders and tyrants.

It could feasibly have happened with another people if all the other elements were present.

 

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

Well, Italy created Facsism, so obviously it is possible.

You could make a solid argument that the so called "communist" nations of the old eastern block were in reality fascist, in that a strongman ruled, it was a one party system, and trade unions outlawed, and they were total police states. Of course, Facsism is supposed to be anti-communist, so that becomes an interesting conundrum.

 

[ZultanofZex]

Communism and fashism are indeed very similar. Different labels, same beens. many Swedes that joined the Waffen SS during the war did this because they were socialists...national socialsists, but still (no joke, honest)

At present, I do not think any country will survive as a fascist state, at least not in the first world. But wait a few decades and your guess is as good as mine

 

[Phantom Lord]

Originally posted by The Godfather
Could the same thing have happened in another country than Germany in the 30's?

Or are the Germans extraordinarily exposed to such things?

I think it was the time and circumbstances that were the main keys, combined with the leaders and tyrants.

It could feasibly have happened with another people if all the other elements were present.

I think it could have happened and in some ways it has happened, not only Italy, Spain as well was fascist once.

Germany wasn't only fascist imho, but you could say that the german national socialism was Hitler's "personal" interpretation of fascism. Fascism basically describes a certain government structure based on leadership, sub-leadership, sub-sub-leadership and so on. Hitler's "national socialism" included many other twisted goals, like leadership of the aryan race, living space for said race in the east, extermination of the jewish race and many more.

What happened in Germany could not have happened without Hitler, so the question is if Hitler could have become the leader of another country, even at another time. And yes, this probably would depend very much on the circumstances.

 

[thedirk]

I think that any time the elements are right, there is a possibility of a facict regime emerging. That leads to the next question. Is it possible for a facist regime to maintain long-term stability?

 

[Phantom Lord]

I don't think so, because fascism is too much based on the promotion of idiots (eg Goering in Germany). Every leader will chose his subleaders under the aspects of blind loyality and the unability to take his own place. So basically slave type characters will fill the ranks, even the higher ones, not experts. Sooner or later such a government will go down.

I don't hope to see a single one more in the future tough.

 

[The Art of War]

Confederate States of America, if they'd survived.

 

[The Godfather]

What happened in Germany could not have happened without Hitler, so the question is if Hitler could have become the leader of another country, even at another time. And yes, this probably would depend very much on the circumstances.

This is an interesting question. Could the process that took place in Germany in the 30's have happened in another country? Could the majority of a different people than the german have been brainwashed and convinced to the same extent as the germans were? Would it be possible to create such overwhelming hatred towards one group, and justify such execution in a diffferent country than Germany?

 

[Simon Darkshade]

The German experience was just one of many, as has been pointed out.
And as with all ideologies, fascism changes, so that some version of it may yet be seen again.

 

[Kennelly]

Kurt Schumacher,first chairman after WW2 of the SPD once said "Communists are red-painted fascists" and I think in the basics he's quite right about this.Fascism as a system worked in other countries like Spain,Italy,to a lesser extent other Austria and Eastern European countries.In the 20s and 30s democracy was almost dead in Europe,some countries turned to Fascism,others to communism,other to slightly different forms of dictatorship.

Of course political opponents were killed in the 100,000s in Italy or Spain,but yet none of these really created such an industrious killing-machine like Hitler did.I honestly don't think the way Fascism was "interpreted" and acted out by Hitler could have occurred in another country it this time.But I also deny the idea that this is based in the German national being or sth. like that.I think,the situation in Germany was just so bad (economically,but even more morally),that a brilliant demagogue like Hitler had the opportunity to assume power-and he used it.

 

[Homie]

It could have worked in any Scandinavien country. We are worse than Springfield, we'll buy anything!

 

[willemvanoranje]

on the topic of communism <---> fascism, no doubt they're almost the same....as we know it today. If you go back to the early beginnings of communism, the ideals and everything, it's not like fascism at all, it's almost perfect, but....it's an utopia. A good idea that will never work, like so many others. Stalinism would be better.

 

[Zcylen]

of course it can happen in any nation, even today.
if a country has economical problems, corruption and so other problems and suddenly a leader appears and said he can put an end to the misery many will follow him.
when that leader become too powerful due to the support of the poeple he can become the only law a dictator.
I think it can be possible, and very likely in poor countries

 

[EdwardTking]

Originally posted by Kennelly

Kurt Schumacher, first chairman after WW2 of the SPD once said "Communists are red-painted fascists" and I think in the basics he's quite right about this.

I think Hitler said that once the german communists had had their hopes ruined; they made good Nazis.

I honestly don't think the way Fascism was "interpreted" and acted out by Hitler could have occurred in another country it this time.

I agree, Hitler combined Fascism with german efficiency.

Other countries might have decided to persecute the Jews or their other minorities; but none would have been able to organise their extermination so efficiently.

 

[Kryten]

Originally posted by Zcylen
Of course it can happen in any nation, even today.
if a country has economical problems, corruption and so other problems and suddenly a leader appears and said he can put an end to the misery many will follow him.
when that leader become too powerful due to the support of the poeple he can become the only law a dictator.
I think it can be possible, and very likely in poor countries.

Hmmm....you've got me thinking.

France, late 18th century, social upheaval and near anarchy, a dictator ultimately takes contol (Napoleon).

Russia, early 20th century, social upheaval and near anarchy, a dictator ultimately takes control (Stalin).

Germany, early to mid 20th century, social upheaval and near anarchy, a dictator ultimately takes control (Hitler).

Russia, early 21st century, social upheaval and near anarchy.........?

 

[TrailblazingScot]

You have forgotten Spain in your ruminations about Fascism.

 

[Mongoloid Cow]

Kryten, Russia's already had its evil deictator. Evil doesn't get too many second chances to get it right.

KittenOfChaos, Phantom Lord already did.

 

[sabo]

Originally posted by Phantom Lord
I don't think so, because fascism is too much based on the promotion of idiots (eg Goering in Germany). Every leader will chose his subleaders under the aspects of blind loyality and the unability to take his own place. So basically slave type characters will fill the ranks, even the higher ones, not experts. Sooner or later such a government will go down.

I don't hope to see a single one more in the future tough.

sounds like Iraq, does that qualify?

 

[joespaniel]

Saddam's regime is indeed proof that a Nazi-esque government can, and does, exist in the 21st Century.

The similarities are disturbing.

Anyone interested in reading about exactly how the German people allowed themselves to be hoodwinked by Hitler, I suggest "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by W. Shirer.

There were certain circumstances, and some luck, involved in the Nazi rise to power, and to some extent the German mindset is also a factor.

 

[The Godfather]

Yes, the nationalistic pride of the German people, and the feeling of having been humiliated and deprived of some of the old glory in WW1, were important factors.

As for the luck, yes, that fire for instance, which convieniently were blamed on the jews and implemented in the nazi propaganda suited the nazi's very much. And when they gambled on whether or not the French would go against them when they started demanding more territory also turned out in favor of the nazi's.