Nazi and Neo- Nazi Movements: 2 of a kind
             When considering the differences and similarities within the Nazi and the Neo-Nazi movement, one may infer that without the former and the mentality that it took to create the latter, neither would exist. Regardless of how or when the two existed, however, one may still question how a sane human being can be capable of containing such hate within, that would lead them to cause harm on to a person that has done no direct harm to them. Although I believe that there is no justification or valid moral explanation for these phenomena, David Apter's Discourse Theory helps in explaining how such a devastating situation may arise and what the mentality of these individuals may be.
             Even though the Nazi movement occurred over 65 years ago, some of the same issues, such as the need to follow an authority figure or to be a part of a larger whole as a result of insecurity, inner anger and rage caused perhaps by upbringing, and a need for a scapegoat, still plague the minds of the weak followers and the deranged leaders of today's Neo-nazi movement. Today's most prevalent Neo-nazi movement, the GdNF, started by Michael Kuehnen, was begun based on an ideology, just as the original Nazi movement. Kuehnen used Hitler's agenda in what Weaver refers to as "the long story" to justify the movement. Just as Hitler did, and possessing some of the same leadership skills required, Kuehnen was able to feed his followers the idea that the Superior Aryan race is the victim.
             Because of the financial downfall and sense of worthlessness that followed Germans after the war, added to their need for authority brought about in childhood, and an already existing anti-Semitic attitude in Germany, Hitler, in his charismatic way was able to gain the favor of his German followers. He gave them something to believe in and legitimized the inferiority they were feeling. This was important to the Ge...