Kowalczuk's New Book on East German Fascism Criticized for Overlooking Key Factors

Historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk's new book, 'Faschismus ist keine Meinung' (Fascism is Not an Opinion), harshly criticizes East Germans for their political attitudes, but a review in the Freitag argues that he overlooks a crucial factor: the high infection rate of COVID-19 in the East, which may have contributed to exhaustion and subsequent radicalization. The review, written by Karsten Krampitz, points out that more than half of the population in the East has been infected, and this exhaustion may have fueled resentment and hate. Kowalczuk, known for his work on East German history, is accused of being blind on his left eye, ignoring the socio-economic and health-related pressures that shape political behavior. The book's title suggests a strong stance against fascism, but the review questions whether Kowalczuk's analysis is too one-sided, missing the complexity of the situation. The article was published on the Freitag website, and the review highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the rise of right-wing extremism in East Germany.