Over the course of the last four years, numerous parallels have been drawn between the divisive rhetoric of Donald Trump and Hitler. By extension, can a comparison be made between their successors?
Although Trump thankfully never managed to start a world war, the challenges facing Joe Biden are reminiscent of 1949 West Germany: his country is divided and echoes of the previous regime are still ringing in people’s ears. Just as Nazism did not die with Hitler, Trump’s ideology remains heavily prevalent in the States – those who stormed the Capitol only weeks ago are unlikely to abandon their convictions any time soon. Biden is therefore tasked with uniting Americans, at least to a point of peaceable tolerance, whilst undoing Trump’s radical policies.
“The fundamental problem, however, was that Nazism had reached every corner of German society.”
In 1949, West Germany elected Konrad Adenauer to be Chancellor of an equally fragile democracy, this one still reeling from war. A policy of denazification swiftly began, seeking to weed out and prosecute all those involved in Hitler’s crimes. The fundamental problem, however, was that Nazism had reached every corner of German society: by design, the dictatorship demanded popular support and participation so that you couldn’t be sure who was really a Nazi and who was just playing along to protect their family. Instead of dwelling on the past, Adenauer proposed a ‘Year Zero’, preferring to move on and treat the Nazi regime as a kind of anomaly.
Biden calls for unity
In Biden’s inauguration speech, he could arguably be seen to repeat Adenauer’s sentiment. His promise to “fight as hard for those who did not support [him] as for those who did“ demonstrates his desire for unity, but also suggests a will to move on and begin cooperating with the right.
I think this diplomacy is sensible as it appeals to his opposition as well as speaking to Republican fears about representation. The terrorist mob that stormed the Senate were there to scream about losing ‘their’ America – while Biden categorically condemns such violence and white supremacy, his speech was somewhat of an olive branch, assuring more moderate Republicans that they aren’t going to lose anything.
Similar terrain
However, Biden does also appear to be pursuing his own brand of denazification. His first day in office saw a reversal of the Muslim travel ban, while prosecutions against those insurrectionists are ongoing. His inauguration speech went on to champion LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice as well as calling for an end to the “uncivil war that pits red against blue“.
As well as inheriting unstable political states, there are similarities in character between Biden and Adenauer. Most obvious is their age: Adenauer was 73 when he took office while Biden is 78. Although some have expressed concern that age would hinder his performance, it is possible that this was actually one of Biden’s more appealing characteristics. Age is often thought to translate into experience and in the case of Joe Biden, speaks to his established career in politics. He is perhaps best known for being Vice President to Obama between 2009 and 2017, but had also been a long-serving Senator for Delaware before that. His enduring presence within US politics therefore implies a great respect for and pride in its institutions, setting a reassuring precedent for his Presidency.
Political balance
Similarly, Adenauer was equally familiar in German politics: he was a city councillor and Lord Mayor for Cologne before 1933, and later regained his post under Allied occupation. After the chaotic, destructive regimes of populist leaders, voters both then and now have sought stability from an experienced, perhaps largely unremarkable, figure. Adenauer’s ‘no experiments’ slogan speaks to this, as he recognised that Germany needed consistency in order to rebuild.
Biden, likewise, was the Democrats’ most electable candidate because of his dependably centrist character. Bernie Sanders was too left-wing while Hillary Clinton had been vilified on a very personal level. The best option for defeating Trump was, therefore, somebody who the people recognised and would not immediately find criticism for. Like Adenauer, Biden is just central enough to appease the majority on both sides.
Catholic connections
Finally, similarity can be found in the two men’s Catholicism. Adenauer led the Christian Democratic Union while Biden has become the second Catholic President after JFK. There is an argument that, as with centrist policies, religion is a reassuring characteristic in post-populist leaders. Adenauer and Biden have both represented adherence to traditional values which appeal to voters seeking security. Although the US now enjoys far greater religious and spiritual diversity, Christianity has been present in America since it was first colonised, and is still highly significant; Biden demonstrated this by making a point of attending Church on inauguration day.
“Adenauer and Biden cut a similar figure: old, reliable, unexciting.”
Despite being a Democrat, I think his Catholicism will appeal to America’s culture of more conservative principles and help win over opposition voters. They can be reassured that his liberal policies aren’t going to threaten their way of life because he also appreciates and sympathises with their values. Religion has therefore been a stabilising force for both Biden and Adenauer.
Adenauer and Biden cut a similar figure: old, reliable, unexciting. Like Adenauer, Biden’s purpose is to calm the waters and get the country running smoothly as well as rebuilding a rather battered international reputation. Rejoining the Paris Climate Accord has been a significant first step in this and will hopefully set the pace for further change. I think Biden is likely to only be a single term President but if he can deliver four largely uneventful years of peace and prosperity, he’ll be one of the most successful.
Caitlin Chatterton
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