14 - A Horse Breeders Perspective: Scientific Racism in Germany, 1870-1933

Summary

In the discussion of the recent resurgence of nationalism, racism, and xenophobia in Germany, Hubert Markl called the insistence of German law on defining German along racial rather than cultural lines “a horse breeder's perspective.” He also claimed that biologically founded xenophobia is a “half truth that leads to full error.” In modern American sperm banks any male semen can be ordered for artificial insemination, not only according to the skin color and ethnic origin of the donor, but also according to his IQ. For a surcharge, the semen of a Nobel Prize winner in the natural sciences is available. Although this may also be called a horse breeders perspective, it is obvious that in the former case it is a decision of a national parliament, whereas in the latter case it is a decision of the individual. As can be seen in the debate over AIDS, blood is still a very special liquid that threatens not only the individual but also ethnic groups and entire nations.

Nationalism is most vividly expressed in warfare and, falling short of that, in the ritualized form of sport. Flag-waving fans have become a trademark of national encounters and are televised around the world. In the context of this chapter, I do not discuss why television sports editors seem to think that nationalism can be used to sell an athletic contest, transforming it into a highly emotional and important event. The problem is that spectators around the world understand this form of nonverbal communication and accept it as an expression of the public discourse on individual, national, and often racial talent and superiority.