It is apparent in politics that what comes around, goes around; press bias and the inability of politicians to reach compromise solutions. The following is an excerpt from the first book in the series, The Addlestone Chronicles. The novel is set in England in 1935. James Harcourt-Heath has been recruited as a spy for MI5 by his Cambridge University Maths tutor. In his first interview, he is tested as to his politics and loyalties. His tutor asks, “Is Germany really fascist? One might argue, the current regime simply reflects populist support for strong government to stabilise, revitalise, and return their country to the political and economic position they enjoyed prior to 1914. I’m sure you’re aware the Weimar Republic government that controlled Germany between 1919 until Hitler took power in early 1933, was utterly dysfunctional. The various political factions were polarised on party lines and seemed unable to address the pressing economic issues that emerged at the end of the Great War. Indeed, I expect it was that stalemate that led to the populist revolution that allowed Hitler to assume power. Democracy requires negotiation and compromise to thrive. What’s more, no advanced trading economy has been immune from the effects of what the British economist, Lionel Robbins recently termed as The Great Depression. In any case, German leaders claim to be socialists. Remember the Nazi party’s full name is the National Socialist German Workers’ Party”.
James paused before he replied. “Time will tell. Don’t forget, last month Hitler banned all opposition parties by executive decree in order to consolidate his power base following Von Hindenburg’s death in 1933. He declared himself President and Chancellor and again, by executive order, appointed Joseph Goebbels head of the newly created Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda. Apparently, its primary purpose is to disseminate a consistent message through a government controlled press.”
His tutor nodded and added, “The Nazi’s word for this principle is Gleichschaltung. Newspapers that disagreed with the party line have been attacked, boycotted, and summarily closed. Hitler even went so far as describing contrary press coverage as emanating from the Lügenpresse, which translates as the lying press.”
Sound familiar to where we are now?