The Third Position
An academic lens on post-war ideologies claiming a distinct path between capitalism and communism.
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Defining the Third Position
An Ideological Compass
The "Third Position" refers to a collection of neo-fascist political ideologies that emerged in Western Europe following the Second World War.[1][2][3] This designation arose from its proponents' assertion that it offered a distinct alternative to both the capitalism prevalent in the Western Bloc and the communism of the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War era. It sought to carve out a unique ideological space, rejecting both dominant systems.
Beyond Bipolarity
In the geopolitical landscape of the Cold War, the world was largely perceived through a bipolar lens: the capitalist West versus the communist East. The Third Position aimed to transcend this dichotomy, proposing a nationalist and anti-capitalist, anti-communist framework. This positioning was a defining characteristic, distinguishing it from other political movements of the time.
Global Manifestations
While originating in Western Europe, the concepts underpinning the Third Position found resonance and adapted forms in various countries. Its core ideas, often rooted in ultranationalism and a rejection of both liberal democracy and state socialism, manifested differently depending on local historical and political contexts. Understanding these diverse manifestations is key to grasping the full scope of the ideology.
Historical Roots
Precursors and Influences
The intellectual and political lineage of the Third Position can be traced to several pre-existing ideologies and movements, primarily from the interwar period. These precursors provided the foundational concepts that later coalesced into the Third Position's distinct framework.
The "Red-Brown Alliance" Concept
A notable theoretical development influencing the Third Position was the concept of a "red-brown alliance." This idea, proposed by neo-fascist and neo-Nazi author Francis Parker Yockey, envisioned a tactical or ideological alliance between communists (represented by "red") and fascists/Nazis (represented by "brown"). Yockey's vision extended to supporting Third World liberation movements, seeing them as potential allies against perceived common enemies.
German Context
The Querfront Phenomenon
In Germany, the concept of "Querfront" (cross-front) emerged during the Weimar Republic in the 1920s. This term described a period of cooperation between conservative revolutionaries and elements of the far-left. The aim was to forge a united front of anti-capitalist nationalist forces to dismantle the existing Weimar order.
National Bolshevism in Practice
Ernst Niekisch was a key figure who attempted to actualize this merger, coining the term "National Bolshevism." This sought to combine communist and anti-capitalist nationalist elements. Even within the early Nazi Party, figures like Heinrich Himmler were influenced by Strasserist ideas, attacking capitalism and viewing socialism as a "natural economic system" during the 1920s.[4] Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher (1932–33) even tried to leverage the Strasserist wing of the Nazi Party to merge with trade unions, hoping to compel Hitler's support for his government, though this strategy ultimately failed.[5]
Contemporary Echoes
The term "Querfront" continues to be used today to describe instances of mutual entryism or cooperation between groups from the far-left and far-right. A recent example cited is the attendance of far-right factions and pro-Russian supporters at a Berlin peace rally in February 2023, organized by Sahra Wagenknecht (then of Germany's Left Party) and Alice Schwarzer, advocating for negotiations and an end to military support for Ukraine.[6]
French Developments
Radical Nationalism
In France during the 1930s and 1940s, several splinter groups from the radical left gravitated towards radical nationalism. Notable examples include Jacques Doriot's French Popular Party, which originated from the French Communist Party, and Marcel Déat's National Popular Rally, which emerged from the French Section of the Workers' International.
Troisième Voie and its Evolution
Third Position ideology gained some traction in France, leading to the establishment of the "Third Way" political party, Troisième Voie (TV), by Jean-Gilles Malliarakis in 1985. This group identified the United States, communism, and Zionism as its primary adversaries, advocating for radical paths to national revolution. TV was intermittently associated with the Groupe Union Défense. Relations with the Front National were generally strained until 1991, when Malliarakis sought rapprochement. This move led to the dissolution of TV, with a radical splinter group, Nouvelle Résistance, under Christian Bouchet, subsequently adopting National Bolshevik and later Eurasianist perspectives.[7]
Italian Formulations
Terza Posizione and its Ideology
In Italy, the Third Position, known as "Terza Posizione," was developed by Roberto Fiore, alongside Gabriele Adinolfi and Peppe Dimitri, within the tradition of Italian neo-fascism. This iteration of the Third Position is characterized by a strong militarist stance and a palingenetic ultranationalism, which views national liberation movements favorably. It also advocates for racial separatism and promotes a "soldier lifestyle."
Cultural and Philosophical Underpinnings
To establish a robust cultural foundation for the ideology, Fiore incorporated elements of Julius Evola's ruralism, aiming to integrate it with a desire for a cultural-spiritual revolution. He also adopted positions from the contemporary far-right, notably the ethnopluralism championed by Alain de Benoist and the pan-European appeal associated with movements like Oswald Mosley's "Europe a Nation" campaign. Fiore was a co-founder of the Terza Posizione movement in 1978. Today, Third Position ideas in Italy are primarily represented by Forza Nuova, led by Fiore, and CasaPound, a network of far-right social centers.
United Kingdom's Trajectory
National Front's Strasserist Shift
In the 1980s, the British National Front, a fascist party that had seen its peak in the 1970s, underwent a significant ideological shift. It was taken over by a Strasserist faction, led by Nick Griffin and Joe Pearce, who explicitly identified as Third Positionists.[8] This Strasserist-dominated National Front was also characterized as National Bolshevist in its ideology.[9]
Internationalist and Anti-Capitalist Stance
Reflecting the influence of the Nouvelle Droite, the Official National Front under this new leadership promoted a "broad front of racialists of all colours" who sought to dismantle multi-racial society and capitalism.[8] They even expressed admiration for black nationalists such as Louis Farrakhan and Marcus Garvey.[11] Their publication, Nationalism Today, featured positive coverage of governments in Libya and Iran, portraying them as part of a global anti-capitalist and anti-Marxist "third force" in international politics.[12] Members openly acknowledged the influence of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his Third International Theory.[13] This alignment may have been driven by both ideological conviction and the pragmatic pursuit of funding.[10]
Internal Divisions and New Formations
This new rhetoric and ideological direction alienated a significant portion of the National Front's traditional membership.[14] The party faced internal strife, leading to a split in 1989. Several senior members, including Nick Griffin, Derek Holland, and Colin Todd, departed to establish their own International Third Position group.[14] One of the leaders of this new group was Roberto Fiore, a former member of the Italian far-right movement Terza Posizione.[15]
United States Landscape
Promotion by Extremist Groups
In the United States, Political Research Associates asserts that Third Position politics has been promoted by various white nationalist and neo-Nazi organizations since the late 20th century. These groups include, but are not limited to, the National Alliance, American Front, Traditionalist Worker Party, Patriot Front, and White Aryan Resistance. Interestingly, some black nationalist groups, such as the Nation of Islam, have also been identified as promoting elements of Third Position politics.[16]
The American Third Position Party
In 2010, the American Third Position Party was founded, later renamed the American Freedom Party. This party was established, in part, to channel the right-wing populist discontent that arose from the 2008 financial crisis and the policies implemented by the Obama administration.[17] This demonstrates how the Third Position ideology can adapt and resurface in response to specific socio-economic and political climates.
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References
References
- Turner, Henry Ashby Hitler's Thirty Days to Power, New York: Addison-Wesley, 1996, pp. 24â29.
- Durham 1995, p. 272; Eatwell 2003, p. 341; Sykes 2005, pp. 126â127.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not an endorsement or promotion of any political ideology. The information presented herein is for academic study and historical understanding only. It is crucial to engage with political concepts critically and to consult diverse, reputable sources for a comprehensive and balanced perspective. Never disregard the importance of critical thinking and thorough research when studying complex political movements.
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