Nazi Germany Totalitarian
To what extent could Nazi Germany be considered a totalitarian state in the period
1933-1942?
From Hitler's election to power in January 1933, Nazi Germany although exhibiting totalitarian elements lacked some required factors to characterize it fully as a totalitarian state. George Orwell suggested that totalitarianism is (1984, introduction) "the ability for a political system or society where the individual does not exist, a single party controls every aspect of life." Paramount to the classification of a state as totalitarian is the oppression of its people and the lack of their patriotism caused by the resentment and anger they harbor towards their dictator. Rather it was through populism gained through continued success that Hitler governed Germany. A question is raised as to the extent that the Nazi government conformed to a totalitarian state and an example of this dispute arises with the structuralists criticism of the interpretation of the intentionalists. Structuralists, notably Ian Kershaw, criticize the internationalists emphasis on the form the society took rather than its content. Intentionalists, such as Alan Bullock, focus on the image presented by the Nazis. With respect to both these arguments it would be further incorrect to describe Nazi Germany as fully totalitarian as it does not fulfill sufficient criteria according to the academic interpretation of Carl Friederich. Thus Nazi Germany cannot be labeled a totalitarian state in the period 1933-1942.
Implicit in a totalitarian society is the ability of a state to thrive as a monolithic- well organised structure however (William Carr 320) "Gleichschaltung to did not lead to a clear and orderly system of government." Structuralist's such as Kershaw, ague that Hitler ruled through his trusted henchmen under a polycratic system of government- a complex power structure in which Hitler's personal authority was only one element of the entire structure. Thus, the Nazi party was not a unified whole but
1933-1942?
From Hitler's election to power in January 1933, Nazi Germany although exhibiting totalitarian elements lacked some required factors to characterize it fully as a totalitarian state. George Orwell suggested that totalitarianism is (1984, introduction) "the ability for a political system or society where the individual does not exist, a single party controls every aspect of life." Paramount to the classification of a state as totalitarian is the oppression of its people and the lack of their patriotism caused by the resentment and anger they harbor towards their dictator. Rather it was through populism gained through continued success that Hitler governed Germany. A question is raised as to the extent that the Nazi government conformed to a totalitarian state and an example of this dispute arises with the structuralists criticism of the interpretation of the intentionalists. Structuralists, notably Ian Kershaw, criticize the internationalists emphasis on the form the society took rather than its content. Intentionalists, such as Alan Bullock, focus on the image presented by the Nazis. With respect to both these arguments it would be further incorrect to describe Nazi Germany as fully totalitarian as it does not fulfill sufficient criteria according to the academic interpretation of Carl Friederich. Thus Nazi Germany cannot be labeled a totalitarian state in the period 1933-1942.
Implicit in a totalitarian society is the ability of a state to thrive as a monolithic- well organised structure however (William Carr 320) "Gleichschaltung to did not lead to a clear and orderly system of government." Structuralist's such as Kershaw, ague that Hitler ruled through his trusted henchmen under a polycratic system of government- a complex power structure in which Hitler's personal authority was only one element of the entire structure. Thus, the Nazi party was not a unified whole but