Neuordnung

Neuordnung is a German noun meaning "reorganization" or "new order." It is used across contexts to denote the process of reorganizing political structures, legal systems, economies, or territories, often accompanying reform or restructuring. The term is neutral in itself but gains specific historical connotations depending on usage.

In historical discourse, Neuordnung is closely associated with Nazi Germany's plans during World War II for a "Neue Ordnung" in Europe. This phrase referred to a broader strategy to restructure the political map under German hegemony, including the dismantling of independent states, redrawing borders, and the exploitation or colonization of conquered regions. The specifics varied among leaders and over time, and the plans were entangled with racial policies and warfare. The project did not succeed due to Germany's defeat, and it remains a subject of critical study.

In the postwar period, scholars use the term to describe both the Axis aims and the subsequent order established by the Allied powers in Europe, which involved territorial adjustments, governance reforms, and the creation of new institutions and alliances. The concept also appears in discussions of domestic reforms—administrative, economic, or regulatory—where a "new order" of institutions or systems is proposed or implemented.

Today Neuordnung remains a general descriptor for reorganizational processes in politics, administration, economics, and society. Its interpretation depends on context: it can refer to neutral reform, administrative restructuring, or extensive historical plans, including those associated with totalitarian regimes.