| Description |
This thesis examines some components of the neo-Nazi movement in Germany. Basic neo-Nazi philosophy and activity are studied through a comparison of Germany's present situation with the Germany of the past. Although neo-Nazi groups are violent and disturbing, they do not represent a reenactment of Nazi Germany in the 1920s. These groups don't have the power base or organizational impetus that the Nazis did and therefore would be unable to rally the same support level. Rather, the concern which is addressed in this thesis is the extent to which neo-Nazi ideologies have the potential to impact other realms of German society. This thesis will look backward to the origins of Nazi philosophy in World War I and then at three groupings of society which neo-Nazis could impact: 1) academics, 2) politics, and 3) personal. Each area will be examined to see how it has been effected by neo-Nazi philosophy or activities. The German academic community is debating over definitions of Nazi Germany and its historical significance. The far-right has tried to manipulate this debate to move it into the historical mainstream by making the Holocaust seem less significant. In the political realm, neo-Nazis have had marginal political involvement since electoral politics is not their primary interest but far-right political parties, which share similar philosophies, have enjoyed recent electoral success. Furthermore, mainstream political parties have been slow to react to neo-Nazi atrocities and foreigner problems facing Germany. Finally, the everyday citizen is often effected by neo-Nazi violence and activism. Neo-Nazi groups offer what some people see as solutions to Germany's problems and are thereby able to gain relative public support. It seems obvious that Germany needs to guard against its Nazi past and be forceful about neo-Nazi restraint. Through comparison of past and present, and further analysis of the present-day threat, we can conclude that the neo-Nazis are unable to mount an authentic threat to Germany. However, they need to be curbed because of the impact they are able to have upon different areas of society. |
