Was Nazism Anti-Conservative?

The term conservatism fundamentally revolves around the concept of conservation. To conserve means to maintain or protect something from deterioration or loss. Yet, we can ask the critical question: what exactly was Nazism trying to conserve? To address this, we must first explore the nature of Nazism and how it intersected (or often clashed) with traditional and conservative ideals.

The Nature of Nazism

Nazism, as a political and social movement, is often described as fascistic socialism. This categorization implies a complex amalgamation of political ideologies. However, the core of Nazism lay in its proclaimed mission to conserve certain aspects of German society. But what did they aim to conserve?

From a superficial glance, Nazism appeared to clothe itself in the trappings of tradition. Leaders like Adolf Hitler often cited the Kaiserreich (the German Empire) and its perceived merit as points of pride. However, such facades were merely surface-level; the true intentions of Nazism were fundamentally different. Far from conserving traditional values, Nazism sought to repurpose and rebrand them, often at the expense of their original meanings.

Nazi Rejection of Traditional Values

One of the most striking examples of this repurposing can be seen in the areas of social and political structures. Nazism rejected almost every conservative aspect of German society, challenging the status quo at various levels:

Noblesse Oblige: While the concept of noblesse oblige (nobility's duty to serve) was recognized, Nazism did not uphold this concept. Instead, it utilized the hierarchical structures to its own ends, often exploiting and abusing the existing nobility for propaganda and control. Regional Cultures: Regional identities and cultures, which had historically played significant roles in German life, were met with disdain. Nazism sought to undifferentiate the diverse German states and territories, viewing them as parts of a unified, centralized state. Localized Government: The traditional system of decentralized governance, where local communities had autonomy, was systematically dismantled. Nazism favored a top-down approach, where the state held supreme power and control over every aspect of life. Militarism and Family Values: These initially appeared to be conservative ideals, but they were twisted and repurposed. The traditional family was realigned to serve the needs of the Nazi state. For instance, women were encouraged to bear children for the state, while men were forced into physically demanding labor and military service, ostensibly for the state’s benefit, not for the family’s.

The Extremism of Nazism

Nazism can be seen as an ideology that took the concept of conservatism to an extreme, presenting a paradoxical relationship with the term. While it posited itself as a conservative movement, its actions and policies fundamentally undermined and transformed traditional conservative values into instruments of state control.

This extreme approach masks the fact that Nazism was not simply anti-conservative; it sought to redefine and reconstruct conservatism on its own terms. The core issue lies in what the Nazis considered worth conserving. By rejecting the very elements that had traditionally defined conservatism, Nazism not only diverged from its conservative origins but also created a political system that was far removed from any concept of genuine conservation.

Dictionary and Idiocy Strikes Back

In the context of literature, such as Idiocy Strikes Back, the term "conservative" is clearly defined. The annexation of the Kaiserreich and the restoration of the Wittelsbach dynasty in Bavaria, where Nazism was founded, represent a clear attempt to conserve specific aspects. However, the reality of Nazism's actions contradicted these goals, transforming traditional values into tools of reproductive and military control.

The conflict between the Verbi Knights and the "evil empire" in the story illustrates this point. The Verbi Knights, with their arcane and old-fashioned methods ("dictionary"), represent a form of resistance against the radical changes brought by Nazism. The term "radical" here is used to describe those pushing for complete political or social change, which, as we see in the case of Nazi Germany, often results in sweeping and sometimes murderous reforms.

Ultimately, while Nazism may have initially sought to clothe itself in the traditional garb of conservatism, its policies and objectives revealed a profound anti-conservative stance. By redefining and repurposing traditional values, Nazism created a system that was, in essence, anti-conservative, both in theory and in practice.