Episode 157: What is Fascism?

Episode 157: What is Fascism?

Author: Reflecting History April 28, 2025 Duration: 47:14

This podcast provides an overview of fascism as both an ideology and a political tactic. In what ways was Nazi Germany a typical fascist state? This episode is one small part of my larger podcast series called "Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart." 

How does something like the rise of Nazi Germany happen? Why? Who's responsible? What is fascism? What did it mean to be a Nazi? What role did the average person have in the development of the Nazi state? How responsible is the ordinary person in the development of great evil? How did nazism infect schools, institutions, and bureaucracy? Just how racist was the average person in Germany at the time? Why did the Holocaust happen? Who were the killers and why did they do it? Did anyone stand up to all of this evil?

This series is an attempt to answer all of these questions in the specific context of Nazi Germany, and to show that as William Faulkner once said, "the only thing worth writing about is the human heart in conflict with itself." It's based on an audio course I made several years ago called "Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart," with some brand new added content, remastered audio, and a new introduction and conclusion. Thanks for listening. 

Check out "Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart" at https://www.patreon.com/reflectinghistory.

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Try my podcast series "Piranesi: Exploring the Infinite Halls of a Literary Masterpiece"-- This podcast series is a deep analysis of Susanna Clark's literary masterpiece "Piranesi." Whether you are someone who is reading the novel for academic purposes, or you simply want to enjoy an incredible story for it's own sake, this podcast series goes chapter by chapter into the plot, characters, and themes of the book..."The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; it's kindness infinite." Piranesi lives in an infinite house, with no long-term memory and only a loose sense of identity. As the secrets of the House deepen and the mystery of his life becomes more sinister, Piranesi must discover who he is and how this brings him closer to the "Great and Secret Knowledge" that the House contains. Touching on themes of memory, identity, mental health, knowledge, reason, experience, meaning, reflection, ideals, and more…Piranesi will be remembered as one of the great books of the 21st century. Hope you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed making it. Check it out at https://www.patreon.com/reflectinghistory.

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