Left-wing nationalism
Left-wing nationalism or leftist nationalism is a form of nationalism which is based upon national self-determination, popular sovereignty, and left-wing political positions such as social equality.[1] Left-wing nationalism can also include anti-imperialism and national liberation movements.[2][3] Left-wing nationalism often stands in contrast to right-wing politics and right-wing nationalism.[4]
This article is about the type of nationalism based upon national self-determination, popular sovereignty and social equality. For the unrelated National Socialism, a far-right German form of fascism, of a similar name, see Nazism. For other uses of National Socialism, see National Socialism (disambiguation).Overview[edit]
Terms such as nationalist socialism, social nationalism and socialist nationalism are not to be confused with the German fascism espoused by the Nazi Party which called itself National Socialism. This ideology advocated the supremacy and territorial expansion of the German nation, while opposing popular sovereignty, social equality and national self-determination for non-Germans. Left-wing nationalism does not promote the view that one nation is superior to others.
Some left-wing nationalist groups have historically used the term national socialism for themselves, but only before the rise of the Nazis or outside Europe. Since the Nazis' rise to prominence, national socialism has become associated almost exclusively with their ideas and it is rarely used in relation to left-wing nationalism in Europe, with nationalist socialism or socialist nationalism being preferred over national socialism.
