Bismarck, a statesman who should inspire today's politicians, in your opinion?

[Julie4]

[RavVid]

He was certainly a colossus. It is claimed that WWI would not have started if he had been in power but that is untestable. He was quite instrumental in creating the German empire; despite the Prussian king's objections and uniting the disparate German states.

The Austro Prussian war and the following Franco Prussian cemented Germany's place as a power despite being a failed state in 1806. That was a massive shift.

I sometimes ask people who invented modern social welfare and people are surprised it is Bismark. He also oversaw universal male franchise. He entered politics just before the momentous year of 1848 and helped to manage a period that could have been very different.

As to if Bismark should inspire today's politicians I'm not so sure. Realpolotik's would I think admire. Anti-imperialist's would loathe most likely. Idealists would see him as old school and belonging to a long past time. The later is where I sit.

If you think realpolitik demands concessions to Russia in Ukraine, Bismark is who you might look to. If you think, weapons should be sent to Ukraine because freedom is precious then probably not.

[Julie4]

Inspired by his Realpolitik, for Ukraine, as a European, it is in our interest to help Ukraine, so that during the negotiations, Ukraine is in the least catastrophic position possible.

[RavVid]

I have just started Neumann world disorder book and feel influenced. Can see your point on assistance being a part of realpolitik where I was willing to ascribe to idealism. Good thinking on your part.

[Astarlessnightsky]

Not really, he was a war mongering advisor to the King of Preussen. War mongering is not something one should look up to.

He did wage 3 wars to unite the humdreds of germanic kindgoms and small germanic countries to form the modern germany. Which turned out as expected without any big drawbacks, so in hindsight you could say he was a brilliant strategist, but who knows what could have happend.

To be fair after the King fired him, the first world war happend as the King lacked the insight of Bismarck and this time the situation escalated.

[katiesmuff]

I had no idea who he was so I took the time and used mr google to enlighten me! I got the impression he was a bit of dictator and certainly had racist ideals so NO I don't think we need anything like him although the one soon to be does sound much like him. We'll have to wait and see how it goes.

[DryGermanGuy]

Interestingly he got newly-created Germany a public healthcare system.

[katiesmuff]

@DryGermanGuy That would be the last thing we would need in this country! Take Canada for example with there public healthcare system.

[Jersey2]

He did a lot of things including unifying Germany which he originally did not want as Prussia would lose power but things changed. Germany is younger than most people think. He also launch an anti-Catholic campaign so he was an early leader in hate in Germany but targeted Catholics instead of Jews.

[DryGermanGuy]

That is incorrect. Bismarck fought against the powerful Catholic church and their influence on (foreign) governments. It had pretty much nothing to do with everyday Catholic people.

[Jersey2]

@DryGermanGuy Do you even hear yourself?

[DryGermanGuy]

I'm doing perfectly fine, especially with my history major.

[Jersey2]

@DryGermanGuy That does show a lack of judgement right there… just saying.

[DryGermanGuy]

Actually it doesn't. That part of history is very well documented and your fantasies of "extermination camps for Catholics" or whatever are not part of it.

[Jersey2]

@DryGermanGuy Things that were never said "extermination camps for Catholics". Grow up.

[purplepoppy]

It was the jingoistic mindset of the era that set the world on the path to war. I think as the world is now we need people who can steer us a way and not towards doom

[abc3643]

Before I answer this question further, why do you think Bismark "should inspire today's politicians"?

I have to dust off a few neurons, but, if I recall my 10th Grade World History class in 1978-1979, Bismark was instrumental in German unification... or am I wrong?

[Julie4]

Political realism

[abc3643]

That means nothing to me. That's an abstraction. We need politicians to DO.

[abc3643]

A lot of politicians are "politically real", I suppose. It's because this phrase "All politics is local." is true. So, internally, many politicians are "real" about their views and expectations, but they also want to get elected or re-elected, so they need to promote something of a fantasy that their local voters will embrace.

[andreasderjuengere]

Nope.

He was a part of his own time - and useful back then.

But times have changed.

Present ''politicians'' should be inspired by the future... not the past.

[Julie4]

Above all, I think we should draw inspiration from his political realism. That's what's missing today

[DrPepper12]

100% @julie4.

[DrPepper12]

Yes n no. "Blood n iron" while effective is its own problem. Unification was quite an accomplishment tho!

[ProbablyClueless]

Not inspire, but they could definitely learn from him.

[OddBeMe]

No. We don't need more nationalism. Woodrow Wilson is needed, just not his racism.

[Julie4]

Wilson the geopolitical catastrophe incarnate

[OddBeMe]

If we had listened to him after ww1 and not go isolationist, ww2 prob wouldn't have happened

[Julie4]

With "Ifs" we remake the world

[OddBeMe]

How is he the devil incarnate?

[Twalli]

No. He's nit a good role model. He's not the worst, but not a pargon.

[DrPepper12]

He's playing shuffle board with Kissinger as we speak...

[Agape93]

Yeap