Simplistic way of looking at politics

Submitted by Adam (United States), Jan 7, 2012 at 18:14

Hitler certainly had his demons, and at the end lost touch with reality. However, to say that his insanity means his ideas cannot be put on the political spectrum is incorrect. These ideas were around on
the far right before World War 1. What Hitler did was to take them into the mainstream and put them into practice.

These ideas were rooted in the belief that humans were unequal. Look at the history of eugenics, pre-war anti-feminist writings, or racial purity movements like the Thule Society. All of them attacked fundamental beliefs of the Enlightenment.

Moderate right wingers don't share these views, just like moderate left-wingers don't support the views of Maoists. The differences nearer the political centre are more nuanced. Is it appropriate or effective to pass laws outlawing racial discrimination for instance? A reluctance to support such laws doesn't mean that person is a racist. I started this entry because of the misconception on the American right that Hitler was a socialist because he increased government activity. That view shows a lack of knowledge of European ideology and a simplistic way of looking at politics.

"Four legs good, two legs bad". George Orwell would have laughed.

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