Abolish Quote by Sebastian Haffner
![“A state does not simply fall apart as a result of depression... [Weimar Germany] was not destroyed by economic depression or widespread unemployment, though these naturally contributed to the atmosphere of doom, but because the Weimar Right was resolved to abolish the parliamentary state in favour…” quote by Sebastian Haffner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9b6/sebastian-haffner-46286_abolish_a-state-does-not-simply-fall-apart-as-a_452169.jpg)
“A state does not simply fall apart as a result of depression... [Weimar Germany] was not destroyed by economic depression or widespread unemployment, though these naturally contributed to the atmosphere of doom, but because the Weimar Right was resolved to abolish the parliamentary state in favour of a vaguely conceived authoritarian state.”
About This Quote
Source Book: History of the Weimar Republic, 1935
The fall of Weimar was driven by a deliberate authoritarian agenda, not merely economic hardship.
In simple terms: Political collapse stemmed from anti‑parliamentary forces, not just depression.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that political motives can outweigh economic factors in regime change.
Themes
political collapse
authoritarianism
Weimar Republic
economic depression
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- political science curricula
- public discourse on democracy
Key Concepts
ideological radicalization
power consolidation
political strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- What role did political ideology play versus economic distress?
- How can societies guard against anti‑parliamentary movements?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting economic context can oversimplify complex historical causes.
