Fundamentalist formations in Germany? ultramontanist catholicism and national socialism

Abstract

Central Europe is often seen as the “exceptional case” in the sociology of religion with a high degree of secularization, traditional religions in a process of decline, and fundamentalist movements small in numbers. However, this may not have always been the case. This article elaborates the analytical advantages to conceive late 19th century Catholicism and early 20th century National Socialism as two distinctive fundamentalist formations in Germany. Seen in this light, in between 1850 and 1945, fundamentalist movements were able to attract large strata of the population in Germany. This article includes four parts. First, I outline what I mean by the term “fundamentalism”. Second, I will describe 19th century German Catholicism, and thirdly, early 20th century National Socialism as a fundamentalist movement. In the conclusion I will discuss if their labelling as fundamentalist formations may be justified.