A resurgent right (Germany's Extreme Right Gathers Strength)

expatica ^ | 10 Feb 2005 | expatica

[Soul Seeker]

Those that know something about German politics, is there any party that would be close to mainstream conservatism in Germany? It's difficult to tell as they label everything extreme right in these socialist nations.

If not conservative, is there a party that is at least sane?

[Rippin]

"Sixty years of Liberation Lies - End the Cult of Guilt,"
is the NPD's motto for the demonstration

Interesting. What lies are they speaking of?
___________________________________________________________

Apparently 1. That the holocaust is over when abortions explode in popularity. 2. That Nazism was not leftist.

[Drammach]

Nazi'ism is not rightist.

Left, Right, these are just different paths to the same end..
Extremism on either side will usually end up in tyranny and Despotism..

[Drammach]

is there any party that would be close to mainstream conservatism in Germany?

IIRC, the Christian Democrats are about the closest to center-right you will find..
Compared to US politics, a Christian Democrat would probably be a "moderate"..

[Rembrandt_fan]

It is disingenuous, I think, to claim that Hitler's national socialism and Stalin's socialism belong on the same 'leftward' side of the political spectrum. 'Left' and 'Right' appellations are a shorthand of convenience, for one thing, and misleading in this context. The nazis, although sharing the usual totalitarian disregard for human life, certainly derived nothing from either Marxist or Leninist economic models. If one is talking about American politics, then 'left' and 'right' are commonly understood to mean those domestic political parties descended from American historical tradition--political groupings literally reading from the same page; e.g., the US Constitution. Followers of Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and Osama bin Laden (and so on) fall into another category entirely. The comparisons and associations many folks are making here are simply invalid.

[Roccus]

AAAAAAHHHHHHHH, It warms my heart to see Europe reverting to form.(/sarc)

[arthurus]

If the neos change their focus from the Jews to the Moslems they may just replicate the rise of the NAZIs in the 30s. Islam is a real problem in Germany as in all Europe and Moslems openly proclaim their determination to Islamize Germany. If that happens and if there is an expansionist thrust then the US would find itself having to choose between Jihad and the Fourth Reich.
Antisemitism is a dead end for the neos. AntiIslam would open up the field if the present government can't figure out how to deal with the Saracens.

[cynicom]

Invalid??? You seem to be in a very small minority here.

A vocal section of world socialism finds it embarrassing to admit that Hitler was indeed one of their brethren.

I understand why some have a problem. Among those are some that do not realize they are being used by their own.

[vaudine]

"Nazi'ism is not rightist." I agree with the premise and have argued with many libs who equate US conservatism with Fascism and the Nazis. If all political philosophies were placed on a continuum and that continuum were circular, extreme left and extreme right would meet at some point.

The libs LOVE to label US conervatives extremists, but they are more extreme. They are not tolerant; they are biased; they are liars; they are loud and obnoxious, as well as noxious.

vaudine

[Rembrandt_fan]

You miss my point. Just because National Socialism has 'socialism' in its name does not make it 'socialist'; that is, derived from Marxist theory, any more than a Christian Democrat in Europe is Christian in any real sense of the word. Hitler rose to power at least in part from the financial support given him by the Directors of corporations such as Krupp and E.G. Farben, who did so because of their fear of the communists. They certainly understood a distinction between the two, and were no doubt hoping for an accommodation with Hitler such as the one Mussolini enjoyed with Italian big business.

And I don't mind being in a very small minority if I know I'm right.

[cynicom]

Sorry, you have no point. Nothing to understand. Hitler and Stalin were blood brothers, both products of "socialism".

Far too many people find it "inconvenient" to accept Hitler as one of their own.

[KarlInOhio]

A couple of years ago Liberty Magazine had an article describing Mussolini's political history and rise to power. The Italian Fascist party had its origins in the Italian socialist movement.

The only way Fascism and Naziism could be defined as right-wing was that they fought against their litter-mate Communism. In the wild, some of your fiercest competition will be your siblings.

[Rembrandt_fan]

Loved the way you supported your argument with specific examples and solid, thoughtful reasoning--oh, wait. You didn't.

"Nothing to understand" is right.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

The NPD is antisemitic.I should know, I was born and raised in Germany,they are responsible for many attacks on
foreigners.I never understood why the German government allowed them to organize.They are no good.They are radical
leftists and want to relive the third Reich.These people have been around for a while,but they never had the strength to influence politics or law makers until they organized themselves.The worst antisemitism comes out of the eastern part of Germany.

[rrrod]

Germans have a longing for total guv control...no matter which side of the politcal spectrum you see. Managed life seems to be their dream.

[Drammach]

Here's a listing of German parties and their leanings..

PDS - Party of Democratic Socialism , Formerly the SED; East German Socialist Unity Party.. Pretty much represents East German interests.. mostly through default..

The Green Party.. Socialist / Environmentalist .. Youth / Urban - Suburban - Student support..

REP - Republikaner / German People's Union DVU ( Duetsche Volksunion ) Far Right.. Anti-Crime, Anti - Immigration, Anti- American.. Blue collar support

FDP - Free Democratic Party ... The Center.. Anti-Socialist , Pro Individual Rights, Pro Private Enterprise.. Yeilds enormous power as a "coalition partner.. Who the FDP aligns itself with can determine which of the Major Parties controls the parliament..

SDP - Social Democratic Party... Marxist, Socialist.. Somewhat to the Left of the US Democrat Party.. Social justice, environment on the one hand, economic issues, ( inflation fiscal responsibility ) and national / european security on the other..

CDU - Christian Democratic Union .. Conservatism, Capitalism, Christians, ( Catholic / Protestant) Business, trade unionists.. Anti - nazi, Anti - Communist ... Advocates conservative values mixed with social market economy ..( combining capitalism and extensive social welfare )
CSU - Christian Social Union... Uniquely Bavarian, and predominantly Catholic.. Same values / politics as the CDU, and has remained allied to same throughout it's existance..

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I can answer that question for you.The one party that comes closest to the Republican party here is the CDU.
CDU=Christian Democratic Party

[cynicom]

We can see that you have a difficulty in accepting Hitlers "socialism", while embracing Stalins. In that vein, you are not alone, there are many of you.

Carry on, but one has to wonder why you wish to do so here.

[Drammach]

The only way Fascism and Naziism could be defined as right-wing was that they fought against their litter-mate Communism. In the wild, some of your fiercest competition will be your siblings.

I won't argue that.. My point was that you can be an extremist on the right, or on the left.. It makes no difference..
If you need a rightist example, consider Franco of Spain.. fascist, dictator, totalitarian.. absolutely ruthless.
And yet, he struck a deal with the U.S. and maintained his regime.. up until his death..

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Well,I have to disagree with you.There are a lot of Germans out there that don't want total guv control and hate what is happening in Germany.I talk to my parents every week and hear how they hate what is going on.There is not much they can do about it.BTW,they always exercise their right to vote,the only way they can make their voices heard.