In 1926: living at the edge of time - Monoskop

CENTER VS. PERIPHERY 279
Germany and commit himself to a solution that is rather casually mentioned
in Mein Kampf: "For Germany, therefore, the only possibility of
fulfilling a sound territorial policy was to be found in the acquisition of
new soil in Europe proper. Colonies cannot serve this purpose, since they
do not appear suitable for settlement by Europeans on a large scale"
(Hitler, 153). The Periphery is not good enough to solve the geopolitical
problems of the Center.
Although nationalist geopoliticians emerge as the most passionate
opponents of the League of Nations, both sides share two certainly
pre-ideological feelings-namely, a phobia about borderlands as ambiguous
spaces and a desire to inhabit a homogeneous world. But if geopoliticians
aim at making the borders of national Centers invisible by pushing
them as far as possible toward the Periphery, the ultimate-and
opposite-task of the League of Nations is to transform the world map
into a homogeneous living space for humankind by eliminating all existing
borders. Delivering a public address on Saturday, January 16, Albert
Einstein observes a surprising division between the supporters of national
geopolitics and those of internationalization: "It must be admitted
that scientists and artists, at least in the countries with which I am
familiar, are guided by narrow nationalism to a much greater extent than
are public men" (Clark, 438). As a general assessment, Einstein's optimism
regarding politicians and his pessimism regarding intellectuals may
be adequate--especially for Germany. Hans Grimm's Yolk ohne Raum,
for example, is reviewed with much respect-and often with open enthusiasm--even
by some in the left-wing press: "[It is] not literature, in
the sense of verbal art. It is an action and a spiritual event. It is a wake-up
call" (von Strauss und Torney, 555). [see Action vs. Impotence] At the
same time, those well-intentioned politicians who support the League of
Nations become increasingly unpopular because practicing politics without
territorial borders is impossible. [see League of Nations] Their weakness
is the potential strength of the nationalist geopoliticians.
Related Entries
Airplanes, Americans in Paris, Automobiles, Bullfighting, Elevators, Engineers,
League of Nations, Mummies, Railroads, Reporters, Revues,
Roof Gardens, Action vs. Impotence, Authenticity vs. Artificiality, Indi-