In 1932 Lesslie Newbigin attended a conference in Germany that focused on developing more collaboration between English and German universities. But in his article "The German Outlook Today" (found here) Newbigin describes how the political situation in Germany overshadowed all other topics. As I read his analysis of how Germany was attracted to "National Socialism" (aka Nazism), I saw some unsettling parallels with Europe today.
1. Because of the crushing terms of the post-Armistice Treaty of Versailles, Germany faced a Sisyphean economic burden made impossible with the cessation of American investments after 1929. Furthermore, creditor nations (i.e. Great Britain and France) refused to cut them any slack in loan repayments; austerity measures forced Germany into economic paralysis.
2. Germany was humiliated by "democratic" and "globalizing" forces, thus creating nostalgia for monarchism combined with a xenophobic paranoia -- a poisonous atmosphere ideal for the creation of Hitler and his ilk.
It's not too difficult to see the parallels, is it? How many more Greeks will suicide before an Alexander rises up? What will happen if Spain collapses? I'm afraid that Germany will be on the receiving end of the next European autocrat.
