The German Parliament's Lack of Principles

The lack of orientation in German policy, both domestic and foreign, was obvious.

The necessary foundation was lacking, namely, a definite WELTANSCHAUUNG.

These leaders also lacked that clear insight into the laws of political evolution which is a necessary quality in political leadership.

Bismarck’s axiom is that ‘politics is the art of the possible’.

• This meant that in order to attain a definite political end, all possible means should be employed, or at least that all possibilities should be tried.
• But his successors interpreted it as a solemn declaration that one is not necessarily bound to have political principles or political aims at all.

One of the silliest notions today is that in Germany the parliament has ceased to function since the 1918 Revolution.

• This implies that the case was different before the Revolution.

But in reality the parliamentary institution never functioned except to the detriment of the country.

• It functioned thus in those days when people saw nothing or did not wish to see anything.

The German downfall is to be attributed in no small degree to this parliamentary institution.

The Parliament should not be credited for preventing the catastrophe sooner. In reality, it was digging the grave of the German Nation and the German REICH during peace times.

The catastrophe was prevented by those who opposed the parliament.

Its most devastating evil was the appalling shilly-shally and weakness in conducting the REICH’s internal and external affairs.

Everything subject to the influence of Parliament was done by halves, no matter from what aspect you may regard it.

The REICH’s foreign policy in the matter of alliances was an example of shillyshally.

They wished to maintain peace, but in doing so they steered straight into war.

Their Polish policy was also carried out by half-measures.

It resulted neither in a German triumph nor Polish conciliation. It made Russia an enemy.

They tried to solve the Alsace-Lorraine question through half-measures.

Instead of crushing the head of the French hydra once by granting Alsace-Lorraine equal rights with the other German States, they did neither.

They could not do anything because they had the greatest traitors to the country, such as Mr. Wetterlé of the Centre Party.