The Socialism of National Socialism

The Misrepresentation of National Socialism by Both the Left and the Right

The debate over whether National Socialism was truly socialist is clouded by ideological biases from both the left and the right, rather than being grounded in historical accuracy. Both camps distort the reality of National Socialism due to their respective political agendas and misunderstandings of socialism’s broader historical development.

This is not an endorsement of National Socialism, but a clarification of its ideological foundations. The “socialism” in National Socialism was indeed a form of socialism, distinct from Marxist internationalism but still rooted in the broader socialist tradition. The common mistake made by both critics and defenders of National Socialism is the misconception that socialism is defined exclusively by Marxist principles, such as class struggle and collective ownership of the means of production. In reality, socialism predates Marxism by at least a century, encompassing a wide range of economic and social theories focused on collective well-being, state intervention, and national unity. National Socialism emerged from this older and more diverse socialist tradition, adapting its principles to a nationalist framework rather than an internationalist or class-based one.

How the Left Misrepresents National Socialism

Modern leftists often argue that National Socialism was not truly socialist because:

They equate socialism solely with Marxism.
- Many on the left define socialism only in terms of class struggle, internationalism, and the abolition of private property. However, socialism predates and extends beyond Marxism, with many early and later socialist movements focusing on collective welfare, economic planning, and state intervention without necessarily abolishing private ownership.
- The Nazi regime regulated industry, controlled wages and prices, redistributed wealth, and prioritized social welfare for Germans, all of which align with non-Marxist socialist traditions.
They reject National Socialism on moral grounds.
- Because they see socialism as progressive and Hitler as evil, many leftists refuse to acknowledge that a racist, nationalist form of socialism existed.
- This leads them to redefine socialism in a way that excludes National Socialism, rather than engaging honestly with the fact that it was a nationalist variant of socialism.
They cherry-pick Nazi economic policies to claim they were capitalist.
- While Nazi Germany allowed private property, it was subject to strict state control and direction, much like in non-Marxist socialist states.
- The state dictated production, controlled industries for national goals, and implemented extensive social welfare programs, all hallmarks of state-directed socialism rather than free-market capitalism.

How the Right Misrepresents National Socialism

At the same time, many on the far-right—especially neo-Nazis, fascists, and libertarian-leaning conservatives—also deny that National Socialism was truly socialist because:

They conflate socialism exclusively with communism.
- Because National Socialists were bitter enemies of the Soviet Union and Marxist internationalism, modern right-wing figures mistakenly assume they could not have been socialists at all.
- However, National Socialists opposed a specific type of socialism—Marxist, international socialism—not socialism as a broader concept.
- They instead promoted a nationalist, racialized version of socialism that focused on collectivist policies for the German people while rejecting the idea of class struggle.
They embrace Nazi anti-communist rhetoric without analyzing the policies.
- Because Hitler and the NSDAP strongly opposed communism, many right-wing groups assume the Nazis must have been capitalists or at least anti-socialist.
- However, their economic policies—including state control over the economy, social welfare, nationalized industries, and wealth redistribution—were far closer to traditional socialist policies than to free-market capitalism.
They seek ideological distance from socialism.
- Many modern far-right figures, including neo-Nazis, want to dissociate from socialism because they see it as a leftist, globalist ideology.
- They instead attempt to frame Nazi Germany as a purely nationalist, corporatist, or even capitalist system, ignoring its strong socialist elements.

The Historical Reality: National Socialism Was a Non-Marxist Form of Socialism

The truth is that National Socialism was a form of socialism, just not a Marxist one. It shared core socialist tenets, such as:

State-directed economy with price controls, state planning, and heavy regulations.
Social welfare programs for the “Volksgemeinschaft” (national community).
Anti-capitalist rhetoric that criticized financial elites and free-market excesses.
Rejection of individualism in favor of collective national good.

At the same time, it diverged from Marxist socialism by:

Rejecting class struggle and instead uniting the classes under a nationalist vision.
Retaining private property under state supervision rather than abolishing it.
Focusing on national identity and racial purity rather than internationalism.

Both Sides Misrepresent National Socialism for Ideological Reasons

The left denies its socialist nature because they see socialism as inherently progressive and cannot accept that a nationalist, racially exclusive, and militaristic version of socialism existed. They incorrectly assume all socialism must be Marxist.
The right denies its socialist nature because they wrongly equate socialism with communism, failing to recognize that nationalist socialism is still socialism.
Both misunderstand socialism’s broader history, ignoring the existence of non-Marxist socialist movements such as National Socialism, Ba’athism (Arab socialism), and various state-directed socialist economies that retained nationalism and hierarchy while implementing collectivist policies.

The truth is that National Socialism was a form of socialism—one that prioritized the nation rather than the class struggle, but which still operated under a fundamentally collectivist, state-controlled economic model. Both the left and the right refuse to acknowledge this due to ideological blinders and historical ignorance.

Hitler’s National Socialism was influenced by several pre-Marxist and non-Marxist socialist thinkers, as well as nationalist and racialist theorists who advocated for a collectivist state while rejecting internationalism and class struggle. While Hitler never credited a single philosophical source as the foundation of National Socialism, there are several key thinkers who shaped his views on nationalist socialism, state-controlled economics, and racial identity.

1. Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762–1814) – Early Nationalist Socialism

Fichte was one of the earliest proponents of a nationalist form of socialism, advocating for a strong, unified German state that prioritized national well-being over individualism.
He argued for state economic control to benefit the “Volksgemeinschaft” (people’s community), aligning with later Nazi economic policies.
His “Addresses to the German Nation” (1808) laid out a vision of national renewal through collectivism and unity, rejecting foreign (especially French and Jewish) influences.
Influence on Hitler: The idea that Germany should be self-sufficient and organized as a national collective rather than following Marxist class divisions can be traced back to Fichte.

2. Friedrich List (1789–1846) – National Economic Socialism

A German economist who rejected both Marxist socialism and classical capitalism.
Advocated for economic nationalism, protectionism, and state-controlled industry to ensure national prosperity.
His idea of “National System of Political Economy” (1841) proposed state-directed industrialization and infrastructure development—ideas later seen in Nazi economic policies.
Influence on Hitler: The autarky (self-sufficiency) policies of Nazi Germany closely followed List’s advocacy for economic independence from global capitalism.

3. Paul de Lagarde (1827–1891) – Ethno-Nationalist Socialism

A fierce critic of liberalism, capitalism, and Marxism, advocating instead for a Germany built on racial and national unity.
Called for a strong state to protect the German people from foreign and capitalist influences.
Pushed for a German-centered form of socialism that emphasized ethnic identity rather than class struggle.
Influence on Hitler: Lagarde’s ideas shaped the Nazi rejection of class conflict in favor of racial and national unity.

4. Maurice Barrès (1862–1923) – French Nationalist Socialism

A French nationalist and socialist who promoted the idea that a strong state should work for the well-being of the national community rather than the global proletariat.
Deeply anti-internationalist, he believed socialism should serve the interests of the nation, not be an international movement.
Influence on Hitler: Barrès’ mix of nationalism and socialism closely resembled the Nazi ideology that combined strong state control, social programs, and racial identity.

5. Georges Sorel (1847–1922) – Revolutionary Syndicalism & Myth of Violence

While not a nationalist, Sorel promoted the idea of “myths” as powerful motivators for mass movements, which heavily influenced fascist and Nazi propaganda.
Advocated for a form of revolutionary socialism based on national willpower and action rather than class struggle.
His idea of violence as a necessary tool for political transformation deeply influenced Nazi rhetoric and street politics.
Influence on Hitler: Sorel’s belief in the power of mass mobilization and myth-making played a role in shaping Nazi propaganda and cult-like nationalist imagery.

6. Oswald Spengler (1880–1936) – Civilizational Decline & Authoritarian Socialism

In “The Decline of the West” (1918), Spengler argued that Western civilization was in decline and that strong authoritarian leadership was needed to restore national greatness.
Criticized both liberal capitalism and Marxism, calling for a new form of socialism led by a national elite.
Influence on Hitler: Spengler’s vision of a strong leader guiding a disciplined, collectivist society deeply resonated with Nazi ideology.

7. Werner Sombart (1863–1941) – Anti-Capitalist, Nationalist Socialism

A German economist who criticized capitalism as “Jewish” and called for a state-controlled economic order.
In “The Jews and Modern Capitalism” (1911), he argued that international finance capitalism was a Jewish invention, fueling Nazi anti-Semitic economic rhetoric.
Influence on Hitler: Sombart’s mix of economic nationalism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Semitism was reflected in Nazi economic policies and propaganda.

8. Johann Plenge (1874–1963) – The “German Socialism” Model

Coined the term “National Socialism” before Hitler, describing a state-controlled socialist economy that was distinct from Marxist international socialism.
During World War I, he advocated for a “German socialism” that was nationalist, militaristic, and opposed to both capitalism and communism.
Influence on Hitler: Plenge’s idea that Germany needed its own unique, non-Marxist form of socialism directly influenced the Nazi economic vision.

National Socialism as a Convergence of Nationalism and Collectivist Economics

Hitler’s socialism did not emerge in a vacuum—it was shaped by a long tradition of nationalist economic thinkers who rejected both Marxist socialism and laissez-faire capitalism. The National Socialist model combined the state-controlled economic ideas of List and Plenge, the nationalist collectivism of Fichte and Lagarde, and the revolutionary energy of Sorel and Spengler.

Both leftists and modern far-right figures fail to recognize that National Socialism was built on a deep intellectual tradition of nationalist socialism. It was not a random deviation, but rather the culmination of a century of nationalist, collectivist economic theories that rejected both class struggle and free-market capitalism.