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Rise and fall in the Third Reich: Social advancement and Nazi membership

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  • Blum, Matthias
  • de Bromhead, Alan

Abstract

We explore the relationship between Nazi membership and social advancement using a unique and highly detailed dataset of the German military during the Third Reich. We find that membership of a Nazi organisation is positively related to social advancement when measured by the difference between fathers’ and sons’ occupations. However, we find that this observed difference is mainly driven by individuals with different characteristics self-selecting into these organisations, rather than from a direct reward to membership. This result is supported by an instrumental variable approach that uses the location of Catholic priests sympathetic to the Nazis as an instrument for Nazi membership. In addition, we explore the determinants of Nazi membership. We find that NS membership is associated with higher socio-economic background and human capital levels, in line with occupational choice models of radicalisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Blum, Matthias & de Bromhead, Alan, 2019. "Rise and fall in the Third Reich: Social advancement and Nazi membership," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:120:y:2019:i:c:s0014292119301643
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2019.103312
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    1. Alan de Bromhead & Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke, 2024. "Should history change the way we think about populism?," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 77(3), pages 1086-1109, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Nazi membership; Political extremism; National socialism; Third Reich; Political economy; Germany; Economic history;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • N24 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - Europe: 1913-
    • N44 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: 1913-
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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