Despite the numerous similarities and affinities between the two doctrines, geopolitics was always held suspect by the National Socialist ideologists. This was understandable, for the underlying philosophical orientation of geopolitics did not comply with that of National Socialism. Geopolitics shared Ratzel's scientific materialism and geographic determinism, and held that human society was determined by external influences—in the face of which qualities held innately by individuals or groups were of reduced or no significance. National Socialism rejected in principle both materialism and determinism and also elevated innate human qualities, in the form of a hypothesized 'racial character,' to the factor of greatest significance in the constitution of human society. These differences led after 1933 to friction and ultimately to open denunciation of geopolitics by Nazi ideologues. Nevertheless, German Geopolitik was discredited by its (mis)use in Nazi expansionist policy of World War II and has never achieved standing comparable to the pre-war period.
despite the numerous similarities and affinities between the two doctrines geopolitics was always held suspect by the national socialist ideologists this was understandable for the underlying philosophical orientation of geopolitics did not comply with that of national socialism geopolitics shared ratzel's scientific materialism and geographic determinism and held that human society was determined by external influences—in the face of which qualities held innately by individuals or groups were of reduced or no significance national socialism rejected in principle both materialism and determinism and also elevated innate human qualities in the form of a hypothesized 'racial character' to the factor of greatest significance in the constitution of human society these differences led after 1933 to friction and ultimately to open denunciation of geopolitics by nazi ideologues nevertheless german geopolitik was discredited by its (mis)use in nazi expansionist policy of world war ii and has never achieved standing comparable to the pre-war period