Konzessionen an den Barbarismus — John M. Keynes, Arthur Spiethoff und die Kanzlei Rosenberg

Abstract

In 1933 John M. Keynes published the article „National Self-Sufficiency" in this journal. However, the German translation contained substantial abridgements and clearly recognizably revised versions of particularly risky political passages which stood in the way of the destructive ideology of the Nazi era that prevailed in Germany. The following essay is based on sources which up to now had not been analysed documenting the background and the consequences of this publication. Even the chief of the Office for Foreign Affairs of the NSDAP, Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg, was engaged on this case.

The essay continues Knut Borchardt's research done in 1988. In addition it investigates the responsibility for the manipulation of the German translation. Moreover it explains the role that Arthur Spiethoff, the editor of the journal, played in those days. Against the historic background of the academic discussions about the crisis of capitalism and the political developments at that time, it explains the conflict between politically opportune conformity and trying to keep in touch with the international academic community.