Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Is there any middle ground?
Throughout history we've seen a pattern of extremity in times of dispair, especially in the political process. The chapter reading talked about how protracted political clashes and economic crises throughout Europe forced more and more people torward the extremes of the political spectrum; specifically totalitarian governments. On the opposite end there was nations looking for government to butt the heck out. Why is this? Why is it so difficult in times like this to choose a middle ground? For me, it would seem logical after such a radical change in the world from a war that you would step back and rethink things. But, then again people weren't doing this during the war and this could possibly be just a continuation. But what specifically pushes people to such opposites ends? Is it just the desperate need for a solution ASAP?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think that it is the desperation for a solution ASAP like you said. I think everyone was saddened, angered and wanted change. Just change. The first person to say "I will change THIS" is the one that people get behind. Look at Germany and Hitler. Germany was in a depression and Hitler said I will change this and times will be good. It was hard for the people not to agree or back him up after he painted a pretty picture of what Germany could be.
ReplyDeleteI agree with AJ, e need for a solution is why totalitarian governments had such power. The countries needed someone in charge, so people just sort of got themselves to be in charge. Another part of it was that no one else stepped up at all to help run the country, so it was easy for a totalitarian government to just the over.
ReplyDeleteAn inherent reality of democracy is that it is slow and messy- it takes time when "the people" control the government and make the decisions. So take Germany for example, who is clearly desperate at this time...it makes sense that they would jump to a totalitarian government that proposes quick fixes as opposed to a democracy that might not come up with the "right fix" for a while.
ReplyDeleteNot saying that it is the right way- but it seems like the reality of the situation.
Great reflection & great questions!
An interesting post, and all great comments. Additionally, I think people were beginning to reject all the conventional "wisdom" that brought the world towards war in the first place. Many were rejecting anything the old world had established: democracy, religion, philosophy, arts, lifestyle, etc. Anything that ran opposed to the old way of doing things (totalitarianism, secularism, existentialism, women's rights)drew popularity as a rejection of the old.
ReplyDelete