The Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion: Jews and Nationalism in Hungary [Paperback]

Vera Ranki (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 269 pages
• Publisher: Holmes & Meier Pub (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0841914028
• ISBN-13: 978-0841914025
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,069,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars FASCINATING, November 15, 2007

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Scamp Lumm "Littlesorrel/christian zionist" (Perseus-Pisces cluster, ~100Mpc) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion: Jews and Nationalism in Hungary (Paperback)

Truly, truly fascinating.

Vera Ranki's dissertation is not an easy read, but it is, for me, a zionist christian, with my Sunday school faith, an eye opening political book. The title caught my eye as I was looking for a particular book which was not on the shelf as it should have been. So, I stumbled upon this book accidentally, and providentially. The author's ideas are original and insightful as all good dissertations should be.

How can an entire society witness a complete eradication of a distinct, ethnic population in its midst? This is a relevant question for the world today, not just for Hungarian jewry of the mid twentieth century which Ranki brings to mind in the last few pages. How was Hungarian jewry disposed of so quickly and efficiently in the last six months of WWII in 1944-1945? This was a surprising shock for many people the world over since Hungary showed signs that Hungarian jews stood a very good chance of surviving within Hungary. Sure, the Arrowcross, Nyalis party overthrew the government in October 1944 and implemented Eichmann's extermination methods immediately at that time. But why couldn't or didn't Hungarian society resist effectively the Nazi menace as Denmark did?

Probably the most valuable lessons herein concern the character of antisemitism over the centuries. Hungarian society was mostly agrarian and feudal in its organization up to the first world war. Antisemitism was mostly religious anti-Judaism until industrialization in the 1800's when the religious aspect of it was undone culminating in modern antisemitism. I think the religious foundation to it has been pretty firmly set in place over the centuries. When will we learn? At this juncture, a reading of The Crucifixion of the Jews is well in order. I thank an Amazon friend for her sharing of this precious book written by Christian theologians, protestant and catholic alike.

In Hungary during the monarchical years, jews were protected, assimilated, included. That all changed with the Red Terror, then the White Terror and counterrevolution in 1919 of Horthy. Jews were tolerated and during the war years apparently protected, but not really. Whatever apparent protection given them in that period was mainly due to back door diplomacy of people like Churchhill and Franklin Roosevelt.

This book has made a lasting impression on me. I have many other books I'd like to review, but I just finished this one this morning. This should be required university reading for political science coursework. A must read.