Preussentum und Sozialismus

Prussian and socialism is a polemic by Oswald Spengler. She appeared in 1919 in the publishing C. H. Beck, Munich. Spengler described socialism as a seed to Prussia and parts of his nascent yet to emerge major work.

Trauma of the November Revolution

Spengler considered the political upheaval of 9 November 1918 with the monarchy of Hohenzollern came to an end, in the larger context of a tragic history of Germany. The characteristic for Germany lack of fact sense characterizes the policy widely, to the style of the revolutions. So arrived in 1918 as a result of decomposition of the monarchy elements " without the slightest statesmanlike talent English parliamentarians " to power.

The uprising of the Marxist proletariat followed the liberal destruction of 1917 on the heels. " On the Revolution of stupidity followed the meanness. (...) It was the most senseless act of German history. "

Dawn of civilization

The revolution takes its course in the light of the expiring Western culture. Spengler's perspective is consistent with the philosophy of history, culture and morphological interpretation, as they developed the downfall of the West. Spengler considered "socialism" as the "last world mood ", in which the refuge has become tired of Western European and North American culture area.

The final struggle for power in the dawning Faustian empire includes the basic question whether the future political and economic constitution should be characterized capitalist or socialist. Likewise, under what auspices the coming violence people of western end time will have their power. For Spengler nothing less decides this issue as " the fate of the world." And this question must, as the philosopher of history, believes " will be released in Germany for the World".

Liberalism, anarchism, socialism

According to Spengler several competing " schools of thought " of the political and economic Stiles on Western European soil together:

• English liberalism: "The English instinct decided: the power belongs to the individual. Free fight of one against another; Triumph of the fittest: liberalism, inequality ".
• Anarchism in France: " The French instinct: the power belongs to no one. No subordination, so no order. No state, but nothing: equality for all, ideal anarchism in practice again and again (1799, 1851, 1871, 1918) by the despotism of generals or presidents get viable ".
• The German ( Prussian ) socialism: " The German, Prussian instinct was accurate: the power belongs to the whole. The single serve him. The whole is sovereign. The king is the first servant of his state ( Frederick the Great). Everyone gets his place. It is commanded and obey. "

The Prussian socialism in its essence is " illiberal and anti-democratic to the extent it is English liberalism and French democracy." He is also anti-revolutionary.

English capitalism

The insularity of England made ​​the strong state unnecessary. The British history knew a happiness exemplary growing into the lower layers in the aristocratic forms ( Whigs and Tories ). Spengler says about liberalism and capitalism is the English nation nature, can.

Democracy and universal suffrage are proven methods of English capitalism. This does not mean that there are no hierarchies. Spengler commented on the style of government of England, not without inner admiration. " Last resolutions of the party leaders themselves are the majority of Members of Parliament mystery " The ' nice way ' to govern from above and at the same time legitimizing democratically from below, compels the aristocratic ethos Spengler's full respect.

Socialism in Germany

The liberal English ( and the French anarchist ) system will be bound for Spengler to the spiritual and historical conditions of the peoples concerned. Derlei principles are not to imitate by others with success, without neglecting its own conditions and conditionings.

So believe Spengler, of parliamentarianism was alien for Germany. On the other hand: " From innerm Range in Germany can only socialism in any version to be." Spengler does not mean the Marxist socialism, as the following ( surprising for today's history viewer ) finding clearly sets: the transition to socialism had already happened in Germany, " this German socialist revolution took place in 1914. They took place in legitimate and military forms. "

German flirtation with English liberalisms, however, is not appropriate. It only brings the society out of shape and the power of England plays into their hands. Spengler therefore calls for fight against " the inner England " in which " the outer England of the Entente Powers has secured the overthrow of the state final victory ."

Anti- Marxist Tendency

Spengler's critique of Marx aims ultimately to the fact that the mastermind of the Communist Manifesto mixed mental and economic problems and also the conditions in England judged from the eyes of a German - Hegelian, have so misunderstood.

Marx was, moreover, as Spengler, in the powerful tradition to speak of theological thinking. Marxism itself is an essentially religious, not a political movement.

Just as Marxism was the Russian Bolshevism, which refers to Marx, a true socialism. As far as the Russianness not been back inside Asian feel ( esp. this Article Hour of Decision ), it is "culturally alien " by Western ideologies about forms ( pseudomorphs ). "This childlike dull and unknowing severe Russianness is now tormented by 'Europe' by the imposed forms of an already male age, strange and imperious culture, distraught, wounded, had been poisoned. " And so just let the events in Russia since the October Revolution of 1917, Western Europe which gives so much attention to the question of the real socialism not considered.

Spengler's appeal to Germany

Spengler appeals to the German working class and the upper layers of the German people alike. Workers should free themselves from the ideology of Marxism, because it "gives to the worker only the Prussian socialism or nothing. " But the conservative classes have to give up their Befangensein in outmoded thinking. You have - so expressly Spengler - to accept democracy in principle. A democracy, however, is far from the west -British relations.

Spengler emphasizes the interdependence of its Prussian- socialist idea with the idea of power. Realized the Prussian aristocracy socialism, the way to new heights in world politics for Germany is predestined.

Expenditure

Oswald Spengler: Prussian and socialism

• C. H. Beck, Munich, 1919.
• ( Spengler): speeches and essays. C. H. Beck, Munich, 1937.