2004
Volume 4, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 2211-6249
  • E-ISSN: 2211-6257

Abstract

Aside from equating it with Hitlerism, there have been few scholarly attempts to define national socialism and specify its relation to the broader category of fascism. This article posits that national socialisms are a sub-genus of fascism, where the distinguishing feature is an ultaranationalism based on a palingenetic racism, of which anti-Semitism is an essential element. Thus, national socialism is not just mimetic Hitlerism, as Hitler is not even necessary. National socialist movements may even conceivably be opposed to the goals and actions of Hitlerism. To test this definition, the case of Latvia’s [Thunder Cross] movement is analysed. Based on an analysis of its ideology, is a national socialist movement with a racialist worldview, while also being essentially anti-German. The case study even addresses the apparent paradox that both collaborated in the Holocaust, and engaged in resistance against the German occupation regime.

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2025-12-07
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