Philipp Ruch: Political Philosopher on the Rise of the NSDAP and the AfD

In an interview with der Freitag, political philosopher Philipp Ruch discusses his new book "Der Rückfall" (The Relapse), in which he argues that the true reason for the rise of the NSDAP is being misrecognized. Ruch, who is associated with the Gorki Theater in Berlin, addresses the question of how a small party could become the second strongest force in 1930 and whether fascist parties can be "demonstrated to death." He emphasizes that fascist parties cannot be defeated by demonstrations alone but must be countered with substantive arguments and facts. Ruch, who identifies himself as a political philosopher rather than an activist, explains his interest in the elections of September 1930, noting that little is known about this quantum leap in the NSDAP's rise within a democracy. The interview takes place in the garden of the Gorki Theater, which is undergoing renovations, symbolizing a departure from old approaches to understanding the NSDAP's ascent. Ruch suggests that three quarters of people immediately capitulate and run into the arms of the AfD, drawing parallels between the historical rise of the NSDAP and the current political climate in Germany.