The Nazi Dictatorship

When interpreting Hitler's dictatorship, emphasis is often placed on the almost supernatural, demonic influence stemming from his personality, which he amplified through harsh terror and oppression. Together, these elements made him an autocrat with unlimited power. At the same time, Hitler was a skilled and shrewd practical politician; a regime based solely on terror rarely endures long.

Hitler used other tools as well: his goal was to win people over, involve them in solving common tasks, take control of them, and rule over them. Propaganda was one such tool, but so were political, social, and legal measures designed to influence public thought and mood. As an organizer, Hitler cannot be called exceptionally talented. However, for positions of critical importance, he selected the most suitable individuals (though not necessarily the most brilliant). He boasted a well-functioning state apparatus, where not only fools but also talented and highly qualified people served him.

Nazism demonstrated remarkable diligence in organizing public administration and establishing perfect order. Everyone knew what was expected of them, to whom they owed obedience, over whom they had authority, what was allowed and forbidden, what their rights were, and what they were not entitled to. If they did not demand more than their rights permitted, they could be confident that they would not suffer harm. This order was effective and appealing to the average person living in the most humiliated circumstances, who saw that while they had little, at least it was certain, and others had no more than they did.

The social order was also interpreted in a peculiar way. Hitler effectively eradicated unemployment—the shame of the previous system—in a short time. Through large-scale state enterprises, he promised a brief economic upturn, which inevitably led to increased armament production and, eventually, war. Equalizing wages and social services proved impactful, quickly erasing wage disparities, disproportionately burdening skilled labor—especially non-technical intellectuals—while granting significant advantages to unskilled laborers, auxiliary workers, and support staff. This social demagoguery aimed to garner the sympathy of the broad segments of society most likely to turn against the system. Hitler attributed great importance to these matters, and many expert advisors in National Socialist organizations came from the ranks of left-wing labor parties' specialists and officials who had defected.

Hitler was a sworn enemy of democracy: he scorned majority rule, the impotence of democratic governments, and sterile debates. To him, these only dulled the decisions of vigorous personalities. In his view, history elevates exceptional individuals who deserve the right to decide and bear responsibility. From the outset, Hitler claimed this right for himself, while others' duty was unconditional obedience. He encapsulated this philosophy in the concept of the Führerprinzip (Leader Principle).

Dusan Hamsik "A középszerűség géniusza", Kozmosz könyvek 1968