Civil society Quote by Helmut Walser Smith
““For it was the rejection of the possibility of human solidarity with strangers—the critical as well as moral presupposition of civil society—that the National Socialist regime made into the foundation for its existence.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Holocaust and the Historians, 2001
The Nazi regime built its existence on rejecting the idea that strangers could share moral solidarity, a core premise of civil society.
In simple terms: Nazis denied human solidarity, undermining civil society.
Key Takeaway
Understand how denial of solidarity fuels authoritarianism.
Themes
authoritarianism
solidarity
civil society
Mood
analytical
serious
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- education
- political discourse
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does solidarity play in stable societies?
- How can societies resist such denial?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on ideology may ignore economic factors.
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