Wolfgang Benz
Encyclopedia
Wolfgang Benz is a German historian
. He has been the director of the Center for Research on Antisemitism of the Technische Universität Berlin since 1990.
In 1985 he was co-founder and editor of Dachauer Hefte and since 1992 he also edits the Jahrbuch für Antisemitismusforschung (Yearbook for Research on Antisemitism). He is also editor of the Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft. (Both published by Metropol Verlag
.)
In 1986 he lectured at the University of New South Wales
in Sydney
.
In 1992 Benz was awarded the Geschwister-Scholl-Preis and the Das politische Buch prize of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
, a social democratic
political foundation.
Benz received the emeritus
status on 21 October 2010.
Benz claimed in early 2010 in connection with the Minaret controversy in Switzerland
that "anti-Semites of the 19th Century and some detractors of the Islam of the 21st Century work with similar methods on their concept of the enemy“ and warned against the global discrimination of Muslims, which he saw as a "declaration of war against tolerance and democracy". Therefore he was criticized by historian Julius H. Schoeps who claimed Benz's suggestions are „dubious - if not dangerous“ and by journalist Henryk M. Broder, pointing out that 'Islamophobia' - unlike Antisemitism - has a real basis, e.g. terrorist acts, the way dissidents are treated in islamic countries etc. The educationist Micha Brumlik
, however, has argued that as far as social-psychological aspect is concerned, Benz was right when comparing today's Islamophobia and anti-Semitism of the late 19th and early 20th century. Much like Brumlik argued also the historian Norbert Frei.
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
. He has been the director of the Center for Research on Antisemitism of the Technische Universität Berlin since 1990.
Personal life
Benz studied history, political science and arts history in Frankfurt am Main, Kiel and Munich. In 1968 he completed his doctoral thesis on under the supervision of Karl Bosl at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. From 1969 till 1990, Benz worked at the Institute for Contemporary History in Munich.In 1985 he was co-founder and editor of Dachauer Hefte and since 1992 he also edits the Jahrbuch für Antisemitismusforschung (Yearbook for Research on Antisemitism). He is also editor of the Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft. (Both published by Metropol Verlag
Metropol Verlag
The Metropol Verlag is a German publishing house, established in 1988 and generally acknowledged as one of the leading publishers on the Nazi era and the history of the GDR.The company was founded in Berlin by Friedrich Veitl. Together with S...
.)
In 1986 he lectured at the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
.
In 1992 Benz was awarded the Geschwister-Scholl-Preis and the Das politische Buch prize of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Friedrich Ebert Foundation
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation is a German political foundation associated with the Social Democratic Party of Germany , yet independent of it...
, a social democratic
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
political foundation.
Benz received the emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
status on 21 October 2010.
Benz claimed in early 2010 in connection with the Minaret controversy in Switzerland
Minaret controversy in Switzerland
The minaret controversy in Switzerland refers to construction of minarets, which has been subject to legal and political controversy in Switzerland during the 2000s and a Swiss referendum regarding this issue. In a November 2009 referendum, a constitutional amendment banning the construction of new...
that "anti-Semites of the 19th Century and some detractors of the Islam of the 21st Century work with similar methods on their concept of the enemy“ and warned against the global discrimination of Muslims, which he saw as a "declaration of war against tolerance and democracy". Therefore he was criticized by historian Julius H. Schoeps who claimed Benz's suggestions are „dubious - if not dangerous“ and by journalist Henryk M. Broder, pointing out that 'Islamophobia' - unlike Antisemitism - has a real basis, e.g. terrorist acts, the way dissidents are treated in islamic countries etc. The educationist Micha Brumlik
Micha Brumlik
Micha Brumlik is professor of education at the Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. From October 2000 to 2005 he was director of the Fritz Bauer Institute for the Study and Documentation of the History of the Holocaust.-Books :* Die Gnostiker * Schrift, Wort, Ikone Wege aus dem...
, however, has argued that as far as social-psychological aspect is concerned, Benz was right when comparing today's Islamophobia and anti-Semitism of the late 19th and early 20th century. Much like Brumlik argued also the historian Norbert Frei.
Literature
- Wolfgang Benz. In: Kürschners Deutscher Gelehrten-Kalender 2003. 19. Ausgabe. Band I: A – J. Bio-bibliographisches Verzeichnis deutschsprachiger Wissenschaftler der Gegenwart. K. G. Saur, München 2003, ISBN 3-598-23607-7, S. 199
External links
- The Center for Research on Antisemitism
- Antisemitismus im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert von Wolfgang Benz
- Interview with Wolfgang Benz (German)