80 years after the Second World War

By David Bidussa

Thinking back to the beginning of the Second World War – exactly 80 years ago – nowadays we often hear, “never again.” I understand the consoling intent, but I am not convinced.

I ask myself this question: Why were totalitarian regimes so appealing?

My response is that the majority of public opinion felt the following: 1) it was not bad to deny someone’s rights, 2) the right to a future passes through oppression and “hunting” someone, 3) being anti-totalitarian and anti-Semitic at the same time was not a contradiction.

And I wonder: Why?

*David Bidussa is a historian of social ideas.