One of many endlessly recycled lies is that National Socialist Germany (1933-1945) was a dictatorship.

In fact, Adolf Hitler was the first head of state to install direct involvement of the electorate in control since the Greek statesman Pericles (460 BC) introduced pure democracy.

Pericles’ democracy refers to the form of direct democracy that flourished in Athens during the 5th century BCE under the leadership of Pericles.

The Greek statesman didn’t invent democracy, but he radically expanded and refined it, so much so that the era is often called the ‘Age of Pericles.’ Here’s what made his version of democracy so influential:

Key Features of Periclean Democracy

Direct citizen participation: All male citizens could vote directly on laws and policies in the Assembly (Ekklesia), rather than electing representatives to do it for them.

In most of the West’s so-called democracies, the people’s representatives are selected by the party, not the people, who then are given the once-in-five-years chance to elect the party’s choice of candidate.

Paid public service:

Pericles introduced public, not lobbyist salaries for jury duty and public office, allowing even the poorest citizens to participate in genuine governance.

Council of 500 (Boule): Citizens were chosen by lot to serve on this council, which prepared legislation and managed daily affairs.

Cultural access: He made cultural events like theater accessible to all citizens, reinforcing civic unity and education.

Reforms and Limitations

In 451 BCE, Pericles passed a citizenship law requiring both parents to be Athenian for a child to be considered a citizen. This made citizenship more exclusive but also more valued.

In the Workers Reich, only those Germans who, through birth, were born in Germany or whose parents were entitled to citizenship and voting rights. In the self-styled democracies, even migrants with no connections or rights are allowed to vote.

While progressive for its time, Athenian democracy still excluded women, slaves, and foreigners from political participation.

Legacy

Pericles’ vision helped shape the ideals of civic duty, equality before the law, and public debate. His leadership turned Athens into a beacon of political and cultural innovation.

Direct citizen involvement: Pericles championed a system where citizens voted directly on laws. This is not the case in the West, where even referendums are outlawed.

Civic responsibility:

He emphasized that democracy thrives when citizens are actively engaged, not just in voting, but in public debate, jury service, and community life. This ethos echoes in modern calls for civic education and participation.

Equality before the law:

Pericles famously said, ‘Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people.’

Public service and accountability:

By paying citizens for jury duty and public office, Pericles made governance more accessible.

Cultural and intellectual freedom: Pericles fostered a society where arts, philosophy, and public discourse flourished.

Broader Legacy

Pericles’ Athens became a model for Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Jefferson, who adapted Athenian ideals to fit larger, more complex societies.

This then explains the National Socialist concept of democracy. Every legitimate German adult could directly vote to influence the affairs of government, and plebiscites, referendums on all major issues, were decided by the ballot box.

All government ministers were elected by the people, not the government of corporations or foreigners.

The National Socialist form of democracy was based on the principle of ‘community of the people’ that had its origins at the time of Pericles. 

This concept of democracy as an expression of the popular will was confirmed in the National Socialist regime by conferring on the nation the right to organise plebiscites (referendum) to give utterance to the people’s desires. 

The National Socialist form of democracy was more representative than that of parliamentary regimes.  Parliamentary principles do not take into account political ability or experience, genuine motivation, interest, or indigenous nationality qualification.

Adolf Hitler: ‘The result of the revolution in Germany has been to establish a democracy in the best sense of the word. 

We are steering towards an order of things guaranteeing a process of a natural and reasonable selection in the domain of political leadership, thanks to which that leadership will be entrusted to the most competent, irrespective of their descent, name or fortune. 

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