Extremismustheorie als Vergangenheitsbewältigung

Abstract

“Extremismustheorie” is a theory of political extremism put forward by a certain group of political scientists in Germany. Besides their work on political extremism, these well financed scientists are also known for their problematic and simplifying views of Nazi-Germany and the way of dealing with it. This article examines the connection between these two topics within the work of these researchers. It argues that the theory of extremism is intrinsically linked to an interpretation of the end of the Weimar Republic which exonerates Germans and especially the elites from historical guilt.