National Socialism (TheodoresTomfooleries)
National Socialism (German: Nationalsozialismus), in English sources often called Nazism, is a far-right totalitarian ideology best known for its affiliation with the Nazi party in Germany. It has been known under many years since its inception and has gradually evolved over those years, but for the most part its core ideals have remained.
National Socialism is a form of fascism, rejecting both liberal democracy and the parliamentary system in favor of a totalitarian one-party dictatorship marked by institutionalized antisemitism, anti-communism, anti-capitalism, ultranationalism, scientific racism and pan-Germanicism, along with an emphasis on social Darwinism and eugenics. National Socialism subscribes to a pseudo-scientific racial hierarchy, asserting the Germanic people as part of the Nordic master race, which itself is considered the highest sub-race of the Aryan race. Its views on race have evolved and gradually changed over time, seeing eras of liberalization, but fervent racism and xenophobia remain central to Nazi ideology.
The term "National Socialism" is not related to the traditional Marxist definition of socialism. While National Socialism and socialism are similar in the regards that they are both anti-capitalist in nature and draw their support from the working class, National Socialism rejects central Marxist concepts like class conflict and egalitarianism in favor of a collectivist society focused on the Volksgemeinschaft (German for "people's/racial community") which theoretically overcame social divisions through the subordination of personal interests to the "common good". National Socialist corporatism is unique among its sister economic systems, as it puts a focus on racial welfare, most famously achieved through the National Socialist People's Welfare organization and the Strength through Joy program.
As a central part of its ideology, scientific racism and its focus on social Darwinism and eugenics have led to the involuntary euthanisations and or sterilisations of millions, mainly targeted at those whom the Nazi party considered "racially or biologically inferior" (or "untermenschen"). Its eastern colonial policy, that of Lebensraum, saw the planned (and realised) deaths of millions of what the Nazi regime considered to be inferior people in anticipation for their replacement with German or Germanic colonists. This genocide has in recent years toned itself down in both rhetoric and intensity, but its policies continue a system of ongoing cultural and linguistic genocide.