Henry Kissinger's experiences during World War II and witnessing the Holocaust deeply impacted his perspective on war and humanity.
Kissinger's ideology of realpolitik and moral relativism shaped his worldview and approach to statesmanship.
Kissinger challenged the theory of civilizational decline and advocated for the tactical use of nuclear weapons in battlefield victories against the communists.
Deep dives
Henry Kissinger's childhood in Germany and emigration to the United States
Henry Kissinger was born in Germany in a tumultuous time. His family faced discrimination as Jews and witnessed the rise of the Nazi party. They eventually emigrated to the United States, where Kissinger enrolled at City College of New York. He had ambitions of becoming an accountant but was drafted into the army during World War II.
Kissinger's experiences in the military and his power-hungry nature
In the military, Kissinger rose to a position of authority and relished his power over others. He had the opportunity to liberate a concentration camp and witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust, which deeply impacted him. After the war, Kissinger became an absolute ruler in a small village in Germany and reveled in his authority, even going so far as having a former Nazi servant. He showed a tendency to lean toward the political middle and advocated for surveillance of German civilians with left-wing sympathies, while banning Communists from teaching.
Kissinger's reflections on war
After the war, Kissinger contemplated the meaning of war and the moral basis of civilization. He recognized the devastation and tragedy caused by war, particularly through his experiences in a concentration camp, and questioned the nature of humanity in the 20th century. This experience left him with a bleak perspective and a craving for power and authority.
Kissinger's emigration to the United States and enrollment at Harvard
In 1947, Henry Kissinger left Germany for the second time and enrolled at Harvard University. He was accepted with a national scholarship and became a distinguished student. His perspective and worldview began to evolve, influenced by his experiences and the guidance of several mentors, including Fritz Kramer, a Prussian conservative. These formative years set the stage for the future trajectory of Kissinger's life and career.
Kissinger's Ideology and Mentorship
Henry Kissinger's ideology evolves from his mentors and studies. He embraces the philosophy of realpolitik, exemplified by figures like Bismarck and Clausewitz. Kissinger sees history as a series of incidents shaped by human will rather than a story of progress. He believes in the primacy of order over justice and develops a sense of moral relativism. While some critics see his worldview as a psychopathic tendency, Kissinger views it as necessary for effective statesmanship.
Kissinger's Views on Civilization and Decline
Kissinger challenges Spengler's theory of civilizational decline, arguing for the role of the statesman in shaping destiny. He believes that civilizations decay when they lose their purpose and engage in disastrous wars of imperial conquest. Kissinger opposes the policy of massive retaliation, advocating for the tactical use of nuclear weapons to secure battlefield victories against the communists. His unorthodox views attract interest and criticism, leading to his involvement in studying nuclear weapons and foreign policy.
