The Bunker – News without the nonsense Inside Hitler’s inner circle – How his underlings served the Nazi tyrant
9 snips
Aug 29, 2025 
Joining the conversation is Richard J Evans, a renowned historian and expert on the Third Reich. He explores the chaotic dynamics of Hitler's inner circle, revealing how figures like Göring and Goebbels operated within a framework of loyalty mixed with incompetence. Evans debunks the myth of Nazi efficiency, showcasing the dysfunction and corruption behind the regime. The discussion also draws intriguing parallels to sycophantic behaviors in contemporary politics, emphasizing the need to safeguard democratic values against rising populism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Corruption, Not Pristine Efficiency
- The Nazi state was structurally corrupt and ran on patronage rather than ruthless efficiency.
- Hitler rewarded loyalty and allowed officials like Göring to amass vast personal wealth and power.
Competition As A Management Tool
- Hitler deliberately fostered competition by appointing multiple people to similar roles to see who prevailed.
- This 'social Darwinist' management produced rivalry rather than smooth coordination across agencies.
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Crimes
- Hitler's inner circle were mostly ordinary, middle-class nationalists rather than madmen or working-class radicals.
- Understanding them as typical people helps explain how normal individuals enacted extraordinary violence under the regime.
