How would you locate Adorno and Heidegger on a political map? What are the concerns that divide them? How did their goals and fears differ? What did each think about totalitarianism? How did their politics show up in their philosophical views?

As a starting point, let's think about what Hayek said about the Weimar Republic: that democratic control over economic planning caused people to become reliant on the government, and this set the stage for acceptance of dictatorship. I'm starting here because this roots the discussion in things relevant to me. Ronald Reagan echoed Hayek when he said that people who accepted detente with the Soviet Union were leading Americans into slavery. Reagan was saying that socialism inevitably nurtures a child-like mindset in the population. Ruthless apathy on the part of the government is essential to protect freedom, because it's only in that kind of climate that people retain their self reliance. It may be brutal, but this kind of neglect is actually a gift.

I agree with this. It's through a few punches in the nose that a person learns to take care of themselves. This means punching is good. So I live with a contradiction, because if I could put a big bandage on the global human psyche to make it calm down and stop punching, I would. According to Hayek and Reagan, my sentiment would do more damage than good. I'd turn people into slaves with my righteous pity.

What would Heidegger say about the Weimar Republic? What would he say about the effects of helping people? About dictatorship? My answer is forthcoming.