Oswald Spengler and the Politics of Decline

Oswald Spengler was one of the most important thinkers of the Weimar Republic. In __Oswald Spengler and the Politics of Decline__, Ben Lewis completely transforms our understanding of Spengler by showing how well-connected this philosopher was and how, at every stage of his career, he attempted to intervene politically in the very real-life events unfolding around him. The volume explains Spengler’s politics as the outcome of a dynamic interplay between his meta-historical considerations on world history on the one hand, and the practical demands and considerations of Realpolitik on the other hand. Oswald Spengler was one of the most important thinkers of the Weimar Republic, but very little has been published on his politics, philosophy and life, especially in the English-language.Oswald Spengler and the Politics of Decline transforms the pre-existing picture of Spengler by demonstrating how Spengler's radical opposition to liberal democracy was an unwavering facet of his thought from 1918 onwards. It adopts a completely novel approach by placing a new emphasis on his political activities and writings, and is unique in explaining the interplay between Spengler's meta-historical considerations on world history and the practical demands of Realpolitik throughout the complex discourse of German national renewal. "Oswald Spengler was one of the most important thinkers of the Weimar Republic. In Oswald Spengler and the Politics of Decline, Ben Lewis completely transforms our understanding of Spengler by showing how well-connected this philosopher was and how, at every stage of his career, he attempted to intervene politically in the very real-life events unfolding around him. The volume explains Spengler's politics as the outcome of a dynamic interplay between his meta-historical considerations on world history on the one hand, and the practical demands and considerations of Realpolitik on the other hand"-- Provided by publisher

Oswald Spengler was one of the most important thinkers of the Weimar Republic. In Oswald Spengler and the Politics of Decline, Ben Lewis completely transforms our understanding of Spengler by showing how well-connected this philosopher was and how, at every stage of his career, he attempted to intervene politically in the very real-life events unfolding around him. The volume explains Spengler's politics as the outcome of a dynamic interplay between his meta-historical considerations on world history on the one hand, and the practical demands and considerations of Realpolitik on the other hand.

Contents Acknowledgements Preface Introduction 1. Oswald Spengler’s Life and Work: A Chronological Overview 2. Spengler Reception and Research 3. Decline, Determinism and Development 4. Faustian Zivilisation: Prognosis and Perspectives 5. Spengler’s Prussian Socialism 6. Rebuilding the German Reich: Illusion and Failure 7. Decisive Years: Spengler and National Socialism Conclusion Bibliography Index Oswald Spengler and the Politics of Decline explains the outcome of Spengler's meta-historical considerations on world history and the practical demands of Realpolitik. This volume takes a novel approach to one of the most important thinkers of the Weimar Republic and his contributions to the complex discourse of German national renewal.