The German Democratic Reich How the Far Right Destroys History and Democracy
German historian Volker Weiß has exposed attempts by the far right to distort 20th-century history. His research highlights how extremist groups rewrite the past to push an authoritarian and illiberal agenda. One key focus is their portrayal of Nazi Germany and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in misleading ways.
Weiß, a literary scholar and expert on the New Right, details these falsifications in his book Das Deutsche Demokratische Reich. His work shows how far-right narratives label the Nazis as 'left-wing' while romanticising the GDR. The dictatorship under the SED is ignored, replaced by a myth of lost German virtues.
The far right’s historical revisionism extends to current conflicts. Views on Russia’s war in Ukraine remain split: some admire Vladimir Putin, while others claim to support Ukraine’s 'patriotic' fight. Both positions reject mainstream democracy and open society values. Weiß also classifies outlets like *Junge Freiheit* as part of the national-conservative wing of the New Right. These groups, he argues, systematically distort history to justify their vision of a closed, authoritarian state.
Weiß’s findings reveal a deliberate effort to reshape historical understanding. By framing Nazis as leftist and idealising the GDR, the far right promotes a version of history that aligns with its political goals. His work serves as a warning about the dangers of such distortions in public discourse.
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