National Bolshevism vs. Strasserism

Attribute	National Bolshevism	Strasserism
Ideology	Synthesis of far-right and far-left ideologies	Nationalist and anti-capitalist
Leaders	Ernst Niekisch, Karl Otto Paetel	Gregor Strasser
Views on race	Emphasizes class struggle over racial issues	Emphasizes racial purity and anti-Semitism
Economic policy	Opposes capitalism and supports state control of economy	Opposes capitalism and supports nationalization of industry

Introduction

National Bolshevism and Strasserism are two ideologies that emerged in the early 20th century in Europe, particularly in Germany. While both ideologies have roots in socialism and nationalism, they have distinct differences in their approach to achieving their goals. In this article, we will compare the attributes of National Bolshevism and Strasserism to better understand their similarities and differences.

Origins and History

National Bolshevism originated in Russia in the early 20th century, blending elements of Russian nationalism with Bolshevik socialism. It was later adopted by some factions within the German Nazi Party, particularly by Ernst Niekisch and his followers. Strasserism, on the other hand, was developed by Gregor and Otto Strasser, who were early members of the Nazi Party but later broke away due to ideological differences with Adolf Hitler. Strasserism emphasized a more radical form of socialism and anti-capitalism compared to mainstream Nazism.

Key Ideological Tenets

Both National Bolshevism and Strasserism share a commitment to socialism and nationalism, but they differ in their emphasis on certain aspects of these ideologies. National Bolshevism places a strong emphasis on anti-capitalism and anti-imperialism, seeking to create a society based on socialist principles while maintaining a strong national identity. Strasserism, on the other hand, focuses more on anti-Semitism and anti-capitalism, advocating for a socialist revolution that would eliminate the influence of Jewish capitalists.

Attitudes Towards Race and Ethnicity

One of the key differences between National Bolshevism and Strasserism lies in their attitudes towards race and ethnicity. National Bolshevism tends to be more inclusive and internationalist, emphasizing solidarity among workers regardless of their race or ethnicity. In contrast, Strasserism has a more exclusionary and xenophobic approach, promoting the idea of a racially pure society and advocating for the expulsion of non-Germans from the country.

Approach to Revolution

Both National Bolshevism and Strasserism advocate for a revolutionary transformation of society, but they differ in their approach to achieving this goal. National Bolshevism tends to favor a more gradual and peaceful transition to socialism, emphasizing the importance of building a broad coalition of workers and peasants to challenge the existing power structures. Strasserism, on the other hand, advocates for a more violent and radical revolution, calling for the overthrow of the capitalist system through armed struggle.

Relationship with Traditional Marxism

While both National Bolshevism and Strasserism draw on Marxist principles, they have a complex relationship with traditional Marxism. National Bolshevism rejects the internationalism of traditional Marxism in favor of a more nationalist approach, while still maintaining a commitment to socialist ideals. Strasserism, on the other hand, rejects many aspects of traditional Marxism, particularly its emphasis on class struggle, in favor of a more racially-based understanding of society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, National Bolshevism and Strasserism are two ideologies that share some commonalities in their commitment to socialism and nationalism, but they differ in their approach to achieving their goals and their attitudes towards race and ethnicity. National Bolshevism tends to be more inclusive and internationalist, while Strasserism is more exclusionary and xenophobic. Both ideologies advocate for a revolutionary transformation of society, but they differ in their approach to revolution and their relationship with traditional Marxism. By understanding the attributes of National Bolshevism and Strasserism, we can gain insight into the complexities of far-right and far-left ideologies in the early 20th century.