As has become apparent Kohl's Newsweek interview, i.e. the incriminated Goebbels-Gorbachev-analogy in fact appears to have been subject of a misunderstanding. Kohl rightly noted that he was misunderstood. In actual fact Kohl matched Gorbachev with Goebbels only in the second place, but in the first place with US president Reagan. This however did not occur with the intention of offence - to neither side - but out of admiration. Kohl places Reagan, Gorbachev and himself - and this quite affirmatively and following the logic of a specific conception of history - within a common historical context of power politics, in that also Goebbels has his merits - so to speak for insiders, who do not 'deceive' themselves.
Kohl is absolutely convinced that 'world historically' it is for certain that also in the future only power politics will count, which accepts necessary evils. Western politics is also based on this principle, as Kohl confesses, but admittedly expands it by the 'modern' element of 'PR'. He dissociates this 'realistic' politics [ 9 ] from an opinion which 'believes' in the progress in history. Nonetheless Kohl sees an unexpected problem coming up to western power politics. The problem is that just because of its 'stupidity' an extremely well manipulated western public can be easily guided, too, if now the east (Gorbachev) begins to play the very tune of PR. Power politics - independent of forms of government - aim at the neutralization of the public. Democracy is a well devised PR campaign, above all a modern one.
In this business, Kohl, the German chancellor, would like to be advisable as so far underestimated authority. Not Reagan, but Kohl is the 'modern' master in a craft, that Kohl - and nobody else - relates to Goebbels and to himself. After all, Kohl is quite critical of Reagan, and Gorbachev is not qualified, either, as Kohl can easily see through the latter's 'game'. However Kohl must approvingly admit that Gorbachev beating this west at its own game hit the weak point of the west. It is a game which, after all, dates back to the German Goebbels. True, Goebbels got 'caught', but Kohl knows that this will certainly not happen to himself. [ 10 ]
© Jobst Paul
Wilhelm Hugo - Exilarchiv
January 15, 2000 / Schewat 8, 5760
(online since: April 1, 2002 / Nissan 19, 5762)
[ 9 ] CSU demands turn in foreign policy - "realistic policy of détente" announced - Frankfurter Rundschau Jan 5 1987
[ 10 ] December 30th, 1999 - the Berlin correspondent of the British Sun apparently has learnt the lesson and subjects Kohl to the 'simple principles of history': "For more than a decade he was bold King Kohl. Germany's Chancellor was the driving force behind an all-embracing European Union. But while he was laying down the law at summits, accusers say, he was flouting it at home with secret slush funds. If convicted, Kohl faces up to five years in jail. The scandal follows the mass resignation of Euro Commissioners for cronyism and corruption. And France's refusal to lift its illegal ban on British beef. Sometimes it seems only we Brits play by the rules. And still Europhiles want us to surrender more powers to Brussels." In: THE SUN (30.12.1999) / THE SUN says: Kohl scandal.
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