The claim that the Nazis (National Socialists) were an extreme right-wing movement is well-supported by historical evidence, scholarly research, and the ideological foundation of their policies and actions. The following explores why the Nazis were firmly positioned on the extreme right of the political spectrum and debunks assertions that they were left-wing. We will examine the groups they persecuted, the economic and social policies they pursued, and the scholarly understanding of their ideology.
The Nazi Persecution of Left-Wing Groups
One of the clearest indicators of the Nazis’ right-wing orientation is the groups they targeted for persecution. The Nazis sought to destroy socialism, communism, trade unions, and other leftist organisations, viewing them as existential threats to their vision of society. Among the first acts of Adolf Hitler after becoming Chancellor of Germany in 1933 was the suppression of leftist groups. The Reichstag Fire in February 1933 was used as a pretext to arrest communists en masse and to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree, which suspended civil liberties and allowed the Nazis to eliminate political opposition.
The Communist Party of Germany (KPD) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) were outlawed, their leaders imprisoned or killed, and their members sent to concentration camps. Trade union offices were raided, and independent unions were replaced by the Nazi-controlled German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront, DAF). This dismantling of the leftist political infrastructure highlights the Nazis’ anti-left agenda and their alignment with right-wing authoritarianism.
Furthermore, the Nazis targetted intellectuals and activists associated with Marxist or socialist ideologies. Leftist literature was banned, burned, and censored, as the regime sought to eradicate any ideas that conflicted with their vision of a hierarchical, nationalist society. These actions demonstrate the Nazis’ deep hostility toward the left and align them with the far-right end of the political spectrum.
Ideological Foundations of the Nazi Programme
1. Nationalism and Ethnic Supremacy
A cornerstone of right-wing ideology is nationalism, particularly ethnonationalism, which prioritises the interests of a specific ethnic group over others. The Nazis epitomised this extreme nationalism with their emphasis on Aryan racial supremacy and their goal of creating a racially “pure” German state. This ideology underpinned their policies of racial discrimination, forced sterilisation, and the genocidal Holocaust, which aimed to exterminate Jews, Romani people, Slavs, and other groups they deemed “undesirable.”
The Nazi slogan “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer” (One People, One Empire, One Leader) encapsulates their vision of an ethnically homogeneous nation-state under authoritarian rule. This focus on racial hierarchy and national purity is fundamentally right-wing, contrasting sharply with the internationalism and egalitarianism central to leftist ideologies.
2. Anti-Equality and Hierarchy
The Nazi worldview was rooted in the rejection of equality, a defining feature of right-wing thought. Nazis believed in a natural hierarchy among individuals and races, with the Aryan race at the top. This hierarchical thinking extended to their economic and social policies, which sought to reinforce traditional power structures and social stratification.
In contrast, left-wing ideologies advocate for greater social and economic equality. Communism and socialism aim to reduce class disparities and promote collective ownership, principles fundamentally at odds with Nazi ideology. The Nazis’ opposition to these ideas is evident in their propaganda, which vilified Marxism and equated it with “Jewish subversion.”
3. Militarism and Authoritarianism
The Nazis’ embrace of militarism and authoritarianism further situates them on the far right. Their glorification of the military, the establishment of a police state, and the suppression of dissent are hallmarks of right-wing authoritarian regimes. Hitler’s leadership style, characterised by the centralisation of power and the cult of personality, mirrors other far-right leaders, such as Benito Mussolini and Francisco Franco.
The Nazis’ disdain for democratic institutions and their belief in the necessity of a strong, hierarchical state also align with right-wing ideology. The Enabling Act of 1933, which gave Hitler dictatorial powers, marked the end of democracy in Germany and solidified the Nazi regime’s authoritarian nature.
The Misinterpretation of “Socialism” in National Socialism
A common argument advanced by those who claim the Nazis were left-wing is the inclusion of the term “socialism” in their name, National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP). However, this argument misunderstands both the nature of Nazi ideology and the historical context in which the party was named.
The term “socialism” in the Nazi Party’s name was a strategic choice designed to appeal to working-class voters and to differentiate the party from traditional conservatism. However, Nazi “socialism” had nothing to do with Marxist or democratic socialism. Instead, it referred to the subordination of individual interests to the interests of the Volk (the people) and the state. This “socialism” was ethno-nationalist and exclusionary, focused on uniting Germans while excluding and oppressing those deemed “non-German.”
Hitler himself was explicit in his rejection of Marxist socialism. In a 1926 speech, he stated: “Whoever says we are striving for an economic revolution as the final goal, I will not let that pass. We are striving for a moral and ethical revolution. […] There is nothing Marxist about us.” This statement underscores the fundamental incompatibility between Nazi ideology and leftist economic theories.
Nazi Economic Policies: Right-Wing Corporatism
The Nazis’ economic policies further illustrate their right-wing orientation. While the regime did intervene in the economy, it did so not to promote worker ownership or reduce inequality but to strengthen the state and the military. Nazi economic policy can be described as a form of right-wing corporatism, which sought to align business interests with state goals while suppressing workers’ rights.
Trade unions were abolished, and strikes were outlawed. Workers were required to join the German Labour Front, which served the interests of the state and employers rather than employees. The Nazis promoted private enterprise and sought the cooperation of industrialists, who benefited from lucrative government contracts and the exploitation of forced labour. Far from redistributing wealth, the Nazis concentrated economic power in the hands of the state and large corporations, reinforcing existing hierarchies.
Additionally, Nazi economic policies were geared toward rearmament and preparation for war. The Four-Year Plan, implemented in 1936, aimed to achieve autarky (economic self-sufficiency) and expand Germany’s military-industrial complex. This focus on militarisation and state control over the economy for nationalist purposes aligns with right-wing authoritarianism rather than leftist economic principles.
Scholarly Perspectives on Nazi Ideology
Historians and political scientists overwhelmingly classify the Nazi regime as far-right. Scholars such as Robert Paxton, Ian Kershaw, and Richard J. Evans have highlighted the right-wing nature of Nazi ideology and policies.
Robert Paxton, in his seminal work The Anatomy of Fascism, identifies fascism as a phenomenon of the extreme right, characterised by ultranationalism, militarism, and anti-democratic tendencies. He emphasises that fascist movements, including Nazism, sought to preserve existing social hierarchies and were deeply hostile to the egalitarian ideals of the left.
Ian Kershaw’s biographies of Hitler provide further insight into the right-wing roots of Nazi ideology. Kershaw describes Hitler’s worldview as a fusion of extreme nationalism, racism, and anti-communism. These elements, combined with his rejection of democracy and individual rights, place the Nazi movement squarely on the far right.
Richard J. Evans, in his Third Reich Trilogy, documents the Nazis’ systematic destruction of leftist organisations and their alignment with conservative elites. Evans notes that the Nazis’ rise to power was facilitated by their ability to co-opt traditional conservative forces, including the military, industrialists, and the Protestant and Catholic churches.
Groups Persecuted by the Nazis
The Nazis targetted a wide range of groups for persecution, reflecting their right-wing ideology of exclusion and hierarchy. These groups included:
- Political Opponents: Communists, socialists, trade unionists, and anarchists were among the first to be arrested and imprisoned. Concentration camps such as Dachau were initially established to hold political prisoners.
- Religious Minorities: Jews were the primary targets of Nazi racial policies, culminating in the Holocaust. Other religious groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, were also persecuted for refusing to conform to Nazi ideology.
- Ethnic Minorities: Romani people, Slavs, and other non-Aryan ethnic groups faced discrimination, forced sterilisation, and genocide.
- Social “Outcasts”: The Nazis targetted disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and others deemed “unfit” or “degenerate.”
- Intellectuals and Artists: Those associated with leftist or avant-garde movements were censored, imprisoned, or exiled.
The breadth of Nazi persecution underscores their goal of creating a homogeneous, hierarchical society, consistent with right-wing authoritarianism.
Case Closed
The Nazi regime was an extreme right-wing movement characterised by ultranationalism, racial hierarchy, anti-egalitarianism, and authoritarianism. Their persecution of socialists, communists, and trade unionists; their alignment with conservative elites; and their rejection of democratic and leftist principles all point to their far-right identity.
Assertions that the Nazis were left-wing are based on superficial or misleading interpretations of their name and policies. A thorough examination of their actions, ideology, and the scholarly consensus reveals that the Nazis were firmly rooted in the extreme right. Understanding this historical reality is essential for accurately interpreting the past and for countering misinformation about one of history’s most brutal regimes.