Decisive Days in the Two Germanys – Folha de S. Paulo, November 23, 1969

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

My topic today is the relationship between West Germany and East Germany. This issue might not seem to directly concern Brazil, but because of its global influence, it affects the course of all countries. As a Latin nation, Brazil tends to focus on what happens within the large family of Latin peoples. Consequently, we often overlook what is happening in the complex and profound world of Germanic peoples—they are disciplined yet restless, tormented yet peaceful, dreamy yet hardworking, gentle yet warlike, shrewd yet naive, mystical yet sarcastic—a world that greatly influences the highest levels of global culture. I regret that many of my fellow countrymen overlook this. I hope today’s article serves as a modest invitation to examine the crucial crossroads faced by a people full of vitality, culture, and wealth. Readers will see that today’s Germany is in a position to influence the fate of the world far more than during the dark days of Hitler.

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Let’s start by simplifying the presentation of the problems, focusing first on political issues.

The Germanic world consists of at least four main regions: a) West Germany, with its capital in Bonn; b) East Germany, with its capital in Pankow; c) Austria; d) German-speaking Switzerland. The latter, part of the Swiss Confederation, has a unique historical background; let us focus only on the other three regions.

The Germanic peoples united politically for a thousand years under the Holy Roman Empire. It was a highly symbolic yet flexible entity politically. In the 19th century, rising Prussian dominance brought most of Germany, excluding Austria, into a more rigid structure. Hitler annexed Austria, forming Greater Germany. At the heart of this increasing centralization is a core principle deeply felt by Germans: all peoples connected by race, language, history, and culture tend to unite politically. Of course, Bismarck and those who carried on his legacy, all the way to Hitler, pushed this natural inclination toward unity to the extreme. Still, the desire for unity remains a central theme in German thought today, just as it was in the past.

Since 1949, Germany has been split into two parts (Bonn and Pankow), so it should naturally work toward reunification.

This raises international concerns. Would a united Germany become too powerful? The Soviets say yes. The Americans, French, and British say maybe. What do the Austrians think about this? Does Vienna accept a role in this reorganization? These complex and important political questions interest Brazil and the world because they involve principles of justice and universal cultural values. They are also significant because they could influence Soviet-American rivalry, potentially leading to global peace or conflict.

No one can ignore the magnitude of the problem. So, it is understandable that, over time, it is causing increasing chaos in the foreign offices of various countries.

Under the combined pressure of the fear of war and the hope for peace, another cycle of moral, cultural, and socioeconomic issues is being examined, equally brought to the forefront by the prospects of German reunification.

Indeed, with one Germany being neo-capitalist and the other communist, how can they merge into a single entity? Through a federation where each part maintains its current social and economic system? Is this even feasible? Won’t the result of juxtaposing two such different systems cause chaos? Wouldn’t each German “half” tend—on an external level—toward its respective counterpart, namely capitalist USA and communist Russia? And wouldn’t this lead to a new division between the two Germanys? Finally, and most importantly (and I emphasize this for those whose moral values outweigh all others), there is the moral issue. Since communism is the institutionalization of amorality and immorality in all areas of human activity, is it lawful for West Germany to join with East Germany, accepting its Bolshevization as an accomplished fact? Would it be better for West Germany to free East Germany before uniting with it?

This question raises other issues. Would this “crusade,” which clearly has the support of all genuine anticommunists, lead to a global war?

I categorically assert that accepting the communist regime in Pankow is immoral. Overthrowing that regime through a bloodless, publicity-driven effort seems possible to me. All that is needed is a global outcry demanding free elections in East Germany, backed by unbiased propaganda overseen by an international commission. I am confident Russia would not dare refuse this proposal, and the Pankow regime would fall like a house of cards.

Of course, I do not recognize any right to choose between morality on one side and amorality or immorality on the other through a plebiscite, but since the Soviets claim that the people are the ultimate source of power, it is strategic to expose their façade by showing the world that this source does not supply water suitable for their mills.

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As simple and straightforward as this solution might be, some consider another option, which seems sensible but is actually terrible. It would create a federal system between the two gradually homogenized Germanys. West Germany would become somewhat Bolshevized, and East Germany would become somewhat “capitalized.”

It is clear that if this works on a German scale, it could be applied on a European scale: a “homogenized” continental federation that would include Russia. According to the simple-minded, or rather cunning, this would be the means of avoiding war.

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Peace is the result of morality: “opus justitiae pax.” This saying, supported by Church wisdom, aligns with the opposite idea: the consequences of immorality are chaos, disorder, and war.

Will Europe attain peace by establishing communist immorality?

Someone might say it is only semi-immorality. I don’t deny that, but I ask: What is semi-immorality if not immorality? What is semi-dirty water if not dirty water?

Yes, dirty water, serving villainy. If not full communization, what would follow the semi-communization of Germany and Europe?

Let us celebrate German unification, but not through this false process.