Answer to "larger question:" highly unlikely, given historical lifespan of "democracy." But maybe look more into economic pre-conditions to rise of Hitler. Treaty of Versailles sanctions post WWI. Democracy wasn't on their minds: paying a wheelbarrow-full of cash for a loaf of bread was.
Answer to "larger question:" highly unlikely, given historical lifespan of "democracy." But maybe look more into economic pre-conditions to rise of Hitler. Treaty of Versailles sanctions post WWI. Democracy wasn't on their minds: paying a wheelbarrow-full of cash for a loaf of bread was.
Authoritarian leaders always exploit the negative conditions "their" people are suffering to consolidate a power base, usually by scapegoating the "other" people who are responsible for all the misery. It's the standard playbook: Convince your base that the old government (i.e., democracy) does not work to address their issues and that the new, "I alone can fix it" autocracy is the way to go. This only works on the ignorant and is why the "lying" press is attacked so viciously.
Answer to "larger question:" highly unlikely, given historical lifespan of "democracy." But maybe look more into economic pre-conditions to rise of Hitler. Treaty of Versailles sanctions post WWI. Democracy wasn't on their minds: paying a wheelbarrow-full of cash for a loaf of bread was.
Authoritarian leaders always exploit the negative conditions "their" people are suffering to consolidate a power base, usually by scapegoating the "other" people who are responsible for all the misery. It's the standard playbook: Convince your base that the old government (i.e., democracy) does not work to address their issues and that the new, "I alone can fix it" autocracy is the way to go. This only works on the ignorant and is why the "lying" press is attacked so viciously.