Podcast: What the Weimar Republic Can Teach Us about Trump

On the latest episode of the Departures podcast, we’re pleased to be joined by Prof. Benjamin Carter Hett, whose new book “The Death of Democracy: Hitler’s Rise to Power and the Downfall of the Weimar Republic” explores the rapid and sudden collapse of democracy in Germany in the 1930s. Prof. Hett places particular emphasis in his book on the role of propaganda and the mass anti-establishment movement, which was largely an angry rebellion against globalization, not dissimilar from some of the currents we can still see today.

I found this book to be a fascinating read, and a very interesting discussion in which one cannot help but draw numerous parallels to some of the challenges we are facing in today’s political environment and the assault on democratic norms, hostility toward immigrants and trade pacts, and extreme rhetoric being experienced under President Donald Trump. I hope you’ll enjoy, and consider subscribing on iTunes and leaving a review.