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https://intellectualtakeout.org/2015/10/nazi-germany-was-highly-educated/ https://intellectualtakeout.org/2015/10/nazi-germany-was-hig... >Germany had the worl

by realce 2y ago

https://intellectualtakeout.org/2015/10/nazi-germany-was-highly-educated/ https://intellectualtakeout.org/2015/10/nazi-germany-was-hig... >Germany had the world’s finest elementary school system, the highest literacy rate and the best universities; by 1913 more books were published annually in Germany than in any country in the world. Believing that authoritarianism stems from lack of education is a flawed ideology.

concerndc1tizen 2y ago
IIRC, the lead up to WW2 was incredible poverty, and debt to France and others following WW1. So it was easier to just go to war than pay back the debt.
Cumpiler69 2y ago
Pretty much. People thinking "another Hitler can't happen in this day and age" have no idea.
relaxing 2y ago
That’s not what I said. It’s frustration with a system that’s set up to work against you. Is that not a fair assessment of the US political climate?
- realce 2y ago
  Sorry, I didn't mean to nitpick. I totally agree with you about the frustration, but I also wanted to highlight how authoritarian governments aren't simply the outcome of general social stupidity or a lack of education. IMO that's somewhat of an elitist or champagne-socialist scapegoat and simplification. A notable point would also be that the USSR had an authoritarian government while also maintaining a near 100% literacy rate and an exceptional regard for education. Apologies if I misrepresented your statement.
  - peterfirefly 2y ago
    > while also maintaining a near 100% literacy rate And totally honest official statistics!
  - relaxing 2y ago
    On the other hand, the marked lack of reading comprehension demonstrated in this thread can’t be explained by coincidence alone.
    - realce 2y ago
      At least one of us can attempt a civil conversation.
      - relaxing 2y ago
        Hijacking a conversation to push your own agenda isn’t civil.
        realce 2y ago
        That's an oddly paranoid statement. My agenda is what - to promote an admiration of Nazi Germany and the USSR's literacy rates?
        relaxing 2y ago
        You’re mad because you thought someone said conservatives are dumb.
        realce 2y ago
        lol that's amazingly incorrect
relaxing 2y ago
Also I think it’s flawed to assume all authoritarian movements are the same. Also I don’t think the literacy measurement in your article is the one we’re talking about here. Also “best universities” isn’t a good indicator for the literacy of the overall populace. Also I don’t think anyone claims Hitler came to power because Germans were dumb.

by realce 2y ago

concerndc1tizen 2y ago

IIRC, the lead up to WW2 was incredible poverty, and debt to France and others following WW1. So it was easier to just go to war than pay back the debt.

Cumpiler69 2y ago

Pretty much. People thinking "another Hitler can't happen in this day and age" have no idea.

relaxing 2y ago

That’s not what I said. It’s frustration with a system that’s set up to work against you. Is that not a fair assessment of the US political climate?

realce 2y ago
Sorry, I didn't mean to nitpick. I totally agree with you about the frustration, but I also wanted to highlight how authoritarian governments aren't simply the outcome of general social stupidity or a lack of education. IMO that's somewhat of an elitist or champagne-socialist scapegoat and simplification. A notable point would also be that the USSR had an authoritarian government while also maintaining a near 100% literacy rate and an exceptional regard for education. Apologies if I misrepresented your statement.
- peterfirefly 2y ago
  > while also maintaining a near 100% literacy rate And totally honest official statistics!
- relaxing 2y ago
  On the other hand, the marked lack of reading comprehension demonstrated in this thread can’t be explained by coincidence alone.
  - realce 2y ago
    At least one of us can attempt a civil conversation.
    - relaxing 2y ago
      Hijacking a conversation to push your own agenda isn’t civil.
      - realce 2y ago
        That's an oddly paranoid statement. My agenda is what - to promote an admiration of Nazi Germany and the USSR's literacy rates?
        relaxing 2y ago
        You’re mad because you thought someone said conservatives are dumb.
        realce 2y ago
        lol that's amazingly incorrect

relaxing 2y ago

Also I think it’s flawed to assume all authoritarian movements are the same. Also I don’t think the literacy measurement in your article is the one we’re talking about here. Also “best universities” isn’t a good indicator for the literacy of the overall populace. Also I don’t think anyone claims Hitler came to power because Germans were dumb.