Bertrand Russell explains why leftist tyranny falls: hint, because . . . fanatics

Why did Germany lose the Second World War? Russell concludes, essentially, that their downfall was driven by a fanatical, irrational, racist, and hateful ideology; in other words, they were Nazis. Russell explains: “Fanatics are unwilling to accept scientific discoveries made by their enemies, and therefore soon fall behind those whose outlook is more cosmopolitan. 

After their victory the Allies were surprised to find how little progress the Germans had made towards their construction of atomic bombs. This was largely because they would not employ physicists who were Jews or Anti-Nazis. 

Their fanaticism also greatly stimulated the resistance movements in conquered territories. The British entered the second world war as a heavy duty, by no means in the spirit of crusade. The Russians and Americans were goaded into self-defense by unprovoked attacks. 

Only the Nazis were inspired by fanaticism, and their fanaticism contributed not a little to their downfall. I think there can be no doubt that if their rulers had been more rational, they would have won the war, since they would not have attacked Russia or encouraged the Japanese to attack America.” 

 FULL EXCERPT (1948)