POLB92H3 Lecture Notes - Mein Kampf, Wield, Franz Von Papen
Document Summary
Weimar germany was highly developed and had a strong civil society which was bad for democracy since it encouraged fragmentation. Nearly everyone was part of some sort off association. Nazis had used existing institutions to further their support: institutional rules. The institutional system at the time was very fragmented. This meant that forming a majority government was nearly impossible. Presidentialism undermines democracy; president gets too much concentrated power. According to article 48: wide powers to rule by decree if there is no legislative majority. In addition, the lack of majority gives the president power to appoint. Prime minister: polarization between communists and nationalists. Both side were anti-democratic and ideologically opposed: great depression. There was high rate of unemployment and economical imbalance such as high inbalance. At times like this non-democratic party supports increase; this is seen with the nazis growth in support because of economic crisis. The guards did not feel total hardship to carry out heinous acts.
