Studies in Dictatorship: A Comparative Study of the Regimes of Adolf Hitler and Ferdinand Marcos

Abstract

Comparative studies of states and regimes are essential components of the study of political science. No other method explores more extensively and comprehensively the different facets and dimensions of states other that the comparative method. Observations of the internal dynamics of a single state can thus be compared with that of other states to generate conclusions and general trends that could prove to be crucial in predicting future behavior. The present study is a comparison of the regimes of Adolf Hitler and Ferdinand Marcos. It employs the comparative approach in analyzing the key features of each regime. Four fundamental theories are employed as frameworks for analysis: the theory of Juan Linz on authoritarianism, Franz Neumann and Hannah Arendt on Totalitarianism and the Triggering Crisis theory. Several key categories are employed as bases for cross-country comparison. These are political history, political culture, ideology, political parties and interest groups, the bureaucracy and the military. Comparison is done by isolating periods in the regimes involved: the Nazi regime from 1933-38 and martial law headed by Marcos from 1972 to 1981. The comparison is based upon several variables that fall under each of the criteria that is outlined above. Important variations do exist and the net impact or the degree of dependence of each regime upon the variable are taken into account. The study of dictatorship is a continuing enterprise in political science. It is hoped that the present study is an important stride towards broadening the understanding of this political phenomenon.