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Against the mainstream: Nazi privatization in 1930s Germany1

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  • GERMÀ BEL

Abstract

Nationalization was particularly important in the early 1930s in Germany. The state took over a large industrial concern, large commercial banks, and other minor firms. In the mid‐1930s, the Nazi regime transferred public ownership to the private sector. In doing so, they went against the mainstream trends in western capitalistic countries, none of which systematically reprivatized firms during the 1930s. Privatization was used as a political tool to enhance support for the government and for the Nazi Party. In addition, growing financial restrictions because of the cost of the rearmament programme provided additional motivations for privatization.

Suggested Citation

  • Germà Bel, 2010. "Against the mainstream: Nazi privatization in 1930s Germany1," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 63(1), pages 34-55, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ehsrev:v:63:y:2010:i:1:p:34-55
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0289.2009.00473.x
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    Cited by:

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    2. Rim Lahmandi-Ayed & Didier Laussel, 2020. "A voting model of privatization," Working Papers hal-02504990, HAL.
    3. Lahmandi-Ayed, Rim & Laussel, Didier, 2022. "When do privatizations have popular support? A voting model," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    4. Gustavo Lagos, 2018. "Mining nationalization and privatization in Peru and in Chile," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 31(1), pages 127-139, May.
    5. Gonzalez, F & Prem, M, 2021. "The Legacy of the Pinochet Regime," Documentos de Trabajo 19446, Universidad del Rosario.
    6. Germà Bel, 2010. "From public to private: Fascist privatization in 1920s Italyç," Working Papers 10014, Economic History Society.

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