ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses Nazi cultural policy however often toned down extreme aspects of the Nazi world view, which helps explain why many prominent intellectuals in other countries participated in intellectual exchange with Germany or joined German-led international organizations. It explores relations between Nazi Germany and a host of other countries in various intellectual – mostly academic – areas. The book deals with topics that have never been completely out of date and whose significance is again on the rise. It discusses the volkisch mindset behind Nazi ideas of visual art, seen as a transcendent, non-commercial, non-political reflection of the nation. The book focuses on the Nazi umbrella organization of societies that were German-based, Vereinigung zwischenstaatlicher Verbande. It also discusses Karl Brandi, since the mid-1920s the most influential German historian when it came to international relations.
