[Thread] Hitler & Trump: A reasonable, nuanced comparison.

I've been wanting to do this for a while, so let's look at their leadership/managerial styles in a rational way because there is a lot structurally the same. (Not saying Trump is genocidal or this is the #Holocaust.)

My proposition here is that both men approach planning and manage subordinates in a similar way that leads to increasingly radical decisions and policies. Ideology here is important (and different b/w the two) but this thread is really about structures and styles.

First, let's talk about the concept of "Working toward the Führer" originated by Hitler biographer Ian Kershaw. He argues that Hitler preferred to issue vague statements and hint at what his goals were and then let his deputies sort out the details.

Trump seems to take this approach which we can see in a variety of policy choices, the way in which directives come out of the White House in fits and starts, and sometimes have to be retracted when it seems subordinates have wrongly guessed what Trump wants.

A case in point here is the misstep made by a general in prematurely announcing a military withdrawal from Iraq. Former Defense Undersecretary Michèle Flournoy characterized the reasoning in an interview in the following way:

https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-01-07/killing-soleimani-was-hasty-decision-says-former-defense-undersecretary

Trump signals and subordinates act, trying to guess what he wants (and what will gain his favor,) which is another key aspect of both Hitler and Trump's management styles.

One need only look at the multiple instances of administration officials adopting Trump's talking points, mannerisms, and policy directions.

Pompeo, Barr, Esper, etc.

Both men also eschewed the in-depth education required to make difficult decisions, preferring to rely on their gut or self-proclaimed status as visionaries.

Consider this statement from a former aide to Hitler:

(Source: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20081474?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=Working&searchText=towards&searchText=the&searchText=F%C3%BChrer&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DWorking%2Btowards%2Bthe%2BF%25C3%25BChrer%26amp%3Bacc%3Don%26amp%3Bwc%3Don%26amp%3Bfc%3Doff%26amp%3Bgroup%3Dnone&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_SYC-4946%2Fcontrol&refreqid=search%3A1dc15ead23e964f3164d7fc79f41f9bb&seq=2#metadata_info_tab_contents)

Compare these insider statements regarding Trump's similar approach to briefings and doing his homework to those of Hitler's adjutant.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/breaking-with-tradition-trump-skips-presidents-written-intelligence-report-for-oral-briefings/2018/02/09/b7ba569e-0c52-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html

This disregard for informed opinion also points to another similarity between Trump and Hitler. Both reveled in their ability (sometimes real, often imagined) to flaunt the advice of experts and suceed.

They also exhibit a desire to be seen as prophetic.

"Working towards the Führer" (or the president) also requires a good deal of chaos among subordinates. Hitler preferred that his subordinates fight amongst themselves constantly for his favor. This ensured both different viewpoints and that none would combine to challenge him.

Here, Kershaw describes this. It would be hard to not see this in the internecine struggles in the White House and the administration's revolving doors. Trump certainly fears any kind of dissension directed against him from inside his circle.

Again, Flournoy on policy-making in the Trump White House:

Why is this important? Kershaw connects this "Working towards the Führer" with another concept called "cumulative radicalization."

Here, he means that by attempting to present the most impressive plan, subordinates created ever more extreme options to present to Hitler.

This is significant because, with a narcissistic and problematic leader, increasingly radical suggestions lead quickly to dangerous policies.

Both Hitler and Trump push dangerous (though certainly not identical) ideologies and the president is encouraging radicalization daily.

For example, some have suggested that the extreme suggestion of assassinating Suleimani shouldn't have been on the table, but Trump chose it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/us/politics/trump-suleimani.html

If, as the @washingtonpost reports, Trump is only focused on re-election and his subordinates know that, what does it mean for our democracy? I think we are already seeing some of that as extremity reigns.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/34-days-of-pandemic-inside-trumps-desperate-attempts-to-reopen-america/2020/05/02/e99911f4-8b54-11ea-9dfd-990f9dcc71fc_story.html

This is not Godwin's Law; it is comparative history in action.

There is a strong case to be made that both Hitler and Trump exercise power in similar ways and that it is deeply threatening our country.

Ideologies can (and should perhaps) be compared, but the structures chime.