How Democracy Produced a Monster

(Thanks to Mick Gallagher)

This has been the worry among many historians over the last several years. Well written, and well-- you be the judge.

New York Times
OPINION | February 3, 2008
Op-Ed Contributor: How Democracy Produced a Monster By IAN KERSHAW

COULD something like it happen again? That is invariably the first question that comes to mind when recalling that Hitler was given power in Germany 75 years ago last week. With the world now facing such great tensions and instability, the question seems more obvious than ever.

Hitler came to power in a democracy with a highly liberal Constitution, and in part by using democratic freedoms to undermine and then destroy democracy itself. That democracy, established in 1919, was a product of defeat in world war and revolution and was never accepted by most of the German elites, notably the military, large landholders and big industry.

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What happened in Germany in 1933 reminds us of the need for cooperation to restrain potential "mad dogs" in world politics before they are dangerous enough to bite.

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