Question

In this sentence, Wilson compares the German government to governments of the past. What is he hoping to convey?\

Answer 1

He's hoping to convey the differences and similarities of the German government from governments of the past since that is the purpose of making comparisons. This is for a better understanding of the successes and failures of the German government. 

Answer 2

The comparison attempts to make the German government look uncivilized and brutal.