Antifascist Humanism and the Politics of Cultural Renewal in Germany

Antifascist humanism, a concept rooted in the cultural renewal movements of twentieth-century Germany, emerged as a significant intellectual and political force during World War II. This study reveals how communist and liberal intellectuals and artists sought to heal the divisions caused by Nazism by reviving the 'other Germany' of classical Weimar. The research traces this movement from its origins in exile communities across Europe and Latin America to its institutional embodiment in post-war Berlin, highlighting its role in shaping cultural politics during the Cold War. By analyzing the uneasy blend of mass politics and cultural nationalism within antifascist humanism, the study sheds light on its complex legacy and eventual failure in the context of emerging East-West divisions.

Agocs, A. (2017). Antifascist Humanism and the Politics of Cultural Renewal in Germany. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316084106