Right-Wing Nazism? Notes on the Margins of the German Edition of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and Other Publications on National Socialism. Research Problem Cover Image

Prawicowość nazizmu? Uwagi na marginesie niemieckiej edycji Mein Kampf Adolfa Hitlera oraz innych publikacji dotyczących narodowego socjalizmu. Problem badawczy
Right-Wing Nazism? Notes on the Margins of the German Edition of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and Other Publications on National Socialism. Research Problem

Author(s): Krzysztof Kosiński
Subject(s): Political history, Government/Political systems, Politics and religion, Fascism, Nazism and WW II
Published by: Instytut Pamięci Narodowej
Keywords: Germany; right wing; left wing; National Socialism; Adolf Hitler; enlightenment; Prussia; Frederick the Great; gnosis; Christianity;

Summary/Abstract: Contemporary literature on the subject predominantly regards German National Socialism as a “right-wing” or “radical right-wing” phenomenon. This trend is particularly evident in German and Anglo-Saxon historiography. However, examples from the theory and practice of National Socialism show that this ideology was in many ways the opposite of the traditional right. Hitler’s programme pronouncements demonstrate that he himself positioned himself outside the traditional right and left. Different understandings of rightism and leftism in different countries in Europe and in the United States result in misunderstandings in scientific and journalistic discourse. This is particularly evident in the case of Germany and Poland. A side effect of this phenomenon is the fact that some historians and publicists draw an analogy between German Nazism and Polish National Democracy, as allegedly two variants of nationalism, despite their polar opposite axiology. The far-reaching goal of National Socialism was to overcome and overthrow Christian civilisation, which, to some extent, linked this ideology to the French Revolution and the Bolshevik Revolution.

  • Issue Year: 39/2022
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 539-561
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: Polish