Fascism

1. American Fascism
2. Planned Capitalism
3. Fascist Italy
4. German Fascism
5. Economic Fascism

Germany takes a fascist turn.

German Economic Fascism

Economic fascism in Germany followed a ‘virtually identical path. One of the intellectual fathers of German fascism was Paul Lensch, who declared in his book Three Years of World Revolution that “Socialism must present a conscious and determined opposition to individualism.” ¹Adolph Hitler, Mein Kampf (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1943), p. 297. The philosophy of German fascism was expressed in the slogan, Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz, which means “the common good comes before the private good.” “The Aryan is not greatest in his mental qualities,” Hitler stated in Mein Kampf, but in his noblest form he “willingly subordinates his own ego to the community and, if the hour demands, even sacrifices it.” ²Adolph Hitler, Mein Kampf (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1943), p. 297. The individual has “not rights but only duties.” ³Adolph Hitler, Mein Kampf (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1943), p. 126.

Armed with this philosophy, Germany’s National Socialists pursued economic policies very similar to Italy’s: government-mandated “partnerships” between business, government, and unions organized by a system of regional “economic chambers,” all overseen by a Federal Ministry of Economics.

A 25-point “Programme of the Party” was adopted in 1925 with a number of economic policy “demands,” all prefaced by the general statement that “the activities of the individual must not clash with the interests of the whole . . . but must be for the general good.” ⁴Norman H. Baynes, The Speeches of Adolph Hitler (New York: Howard Fertig, 1969), p. 104. This philosophy fueled a regulatory assault on the private sector. “We demand ruthless war upon all those whose activities are injurious to the common interest,” the Nazis warned. ⁵Norman H. Baynes, The Speeches of Adolph Hitler (New York: Howard Fertig, 1969), p. 105. And who are these on whom “war” is to be waged? “Common criminals,” such as “usurers,” i.e., bankers, and other “profiteers,” i. e., ordinary businessmen in general. Among the other policies the Nazis demanded were abolition of interest; a government-operated social security system; the ability of government to confiscate land without compensation (wetlands regulation?); a government monopoly in education; and a general assault on private-sector entrepreneurship which was denounced as the “Jewish materialist spirit.” ⁶Norman H. Baynes, The Speeches of Adolph Hitler (New York: Howard Fertig, 1969), p. 104. Once this “spirit” is eradicated, “The Party . . . is convinced that our nation can achieve permanent health from within only on the principle: the common interest before self-interest.” ⁷Norman H. Baynes, The Speeches of Adolph Hitler (New York: Howard Fertig, 1969), p. 104.