Shakespeare’s plays, or John LOCKE’s STATE OF NATUREall
have something to teach contemporary people.
These differing perspectives (historicist versus con-
servative) show up in differing educational perspec-
tives (for example, multiculturalism versus classical).
For one, the past has nothing to teach us; for the
other, it is the most reliable guide to the present.
MARXISM or COMMUNISM is the typical historicist
approach. Because it sees people as determined by the
way they produce or work, and because economic pro-
duction techniques change in history (agricultural,
industrial, etc.), then all past knowledge is premised
in antiquated social systems. Only the most Modern
philosophy, like the latest computer, is the best. Even
better is what is becoming or is the revolutionary
prophesy of radical communism: Real knowledge is
based on prediction of what the future will become. So,
SOCIALISTeconomic planning looked at future trends;
the old was useless. CRITICAL THEORYand critical think-
ing are based in a historicist worldview. Conservative
approaches (such as those of Edmund BURKE) are char-
acterized by “reverent thinking,” valuing past knowl-
edge that has stood the test of time, perennial truths
that always give wisdom (as in Proverbs), regardless of
historical or political setting.
In Western thought, both historicism and conserva-
tive ideologies exist and are in tension. Contemporary
democratic politics tends emphasize the new and
innovative (historicism), but a nostalgic return to
“basics” or “fundamental truths” also appears in Mod-
ern politics and political philosophy. See CULTURE WARS.
Further Reading
Ryan, Kiernan, ed. New Historicism and Cultural Materialism: A
Reader.New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1996.
Hitler, Adolf (1889–1945) German Nazi dictator
As the leader of NATIONAL SOCIALISM, or the NAZIParty,
Hitler’s political thought represents German FASCISM,
which subordinates the individual to the national (and
the leader’s) will. Influenced by the philosophy of
Friedrich NIETZSCHE, the anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish)
ideas of Karl Lueger, theosophy spiritism, and the
occult, Hitler’s ideas revolved around the supremacy of
the German nation and the Aryan Master Race. In this
nationalist fascism, CHRISTIANITYis seen as weak and
passive, a “slave” religion to be rejected in favor of a
neopagan state religion. The Nazi German Third Reich
claimed to be the “third Rome” of Holy Roman Empire
controlling the world.
Hitler’s ideology was based on hatred of many
groups that he claimed had deceived and destroyed
Germany: COMMUNISTS, Jews, the pope, Christian
SOCIALISTS, and the Slavic races. Ruthless destruction of
these groups was justified by his conspiratorial view of
anti-German forces. Hitler’s mad rhetoric, masterful
psychological manipulation, and deceitful use of
power gave him absolute authority in the German gov-
ernment by 1933. Like the classic dictator described
by ARISTOTLE, Hitler quickly used his power to kill his
political opponents, replace professional diplomats,
put his party rivals in jail, enforce censorship, and spy
on and terrorize the population. As a TOTALITARIAN
regime, Nazi Germany controlled every aspect of life
under politics: economics, the family, sports, educa-
tion, and private groups or associations of CIVIL SOCIETY
(e.g., the Boy Scouts became the Hitler Youth).
Like Italian fascist theory (Giovanni GENTILE),
Hitler’s national socialism justified military aggression
against neighboring countries (Austria, Czechoslova-
kia, France, Poland) through pretenses of racial and
national superiority and a historical mission to rule
and dominate the world. Nazi foreign policy claimed
to be invading and robbing other countries to liberate
oppressed German populations in those countries.
Still, Hitler’s military strategy often failed; the voices or
spirits that spoke to his “intuition” halted the German
capture of Moscow and the defeat of Great Britain at
crucial periods in the war. The destruction of World140 Hitler, Adolf
Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler in Munich, Germany, ca. June
1940.(NATIONALARCHIVES)