Democracy in Crisis: Weimar Germany, 1929-1932

Democracies can be killed through extreme partisanship, ideological radicalism, procedural manipulation, and external pressures, as seen in the example of Germany in the early twentieth century. In the game "Democracy in Crisis," players must contend with intense parliamentary wrangling, constant world events, street fights, assassinations, and insurrections as Germany becomes a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 10 January 2023
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Democracies do not perish; they are assassinated. Democracy in Crisis delves into the perplexing phenomenon wherein a democracy, founded upon fair elections, parliamentary institutions, and a liberal constitution, can succumb to extreme partisanship, ideological radicalism, procedural manipulation, and external pressures. Arguably, the most profound failure of this democratic challenge emerged in Germany during the early twentieth century, culminating in the rise of the Third Reich. During the Weimer Republic, spanning from 1919 to 1933, a remarkable convergence of great ideologies from the Western world took place. Within this era, liberalism, nationalism, conservatism, social democracy, Christian democracy, communism, fascism, and every variant of these movements vied for power, creating a political landscape characterized by broad representation and a constant need for compromises. While the constitutional framework boldly upheld liberal democratic values, the political spectrum was so vast and diverse that a stable parliamentary majority necessitated ongoing negotiations, often alienating citizens who were grappling with national humiliation from the war, economic turmoil, and rapidly evolving cultural norms. As positions hardened, the door opened for radical alternatives.

In the immersive gameplay experience, players assume the roles of delegates within the Reichstag, the German parliament. They navigate a realm of intense parliamentary wrangling, uncontrollable global events, street fights, assassinations, and even insurrections. The game commences in late 1929, shortly after the devastating US Stock Market Crash, as the Reichstag deliberates upon the Young Plan, a revision to the Treaty of Versailles that concluded World War I. The players represent various political parties and engage in spirited debates on these and other critical matters as the interplay of economic stress, political gridlock, and foreign pressures unfolds. Through their decisions and actions, players will shape the course of history, attempting to navigate the treacherous waters of democracy in crisis and prevent the descent into darkness that marked Germany's early twentieth century.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 202 x 255 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469665542