Right face : understanding German political developments/ Ronald E. Draker.

Abstract

Before unification in 1990, Germany experienced a rise in right-wing violence and political popularity. The trend has continued until the present. Many scholars attribute the phenomenon to the economic and social impact of unification and the wave of immigrants pouring into Germany. This is only partly true. Since the trend began before unification, then the real roots lie somewhere else. This thesis suggests that the rise in right-wing extremism is linked to the growing pressures of post-industrialization. Changes in modes of production, further globalization of economies, the information explosion, and the mobility of the world's capital, are causing new opportunities and dangers for people. Lost jobs or pay cuts are resulting in the West from the move to robotics, and to businesses heading for cheaper labor markets. Germany is not alone in facing these challenges. Most Western states are confronting the same problems. However, Germany's Nazi past make it seem very different.