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The Apex of Allegiance

A scholarly examination of ultranationalism, the extremist ideology that elevates the nation above all else, often with violent and totalitarian consequences.

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Defining Ultranationalism

An Extreme Ideology

Ultranationalism, or extreme nationalism, represents a radical form of nationalism where a state asserts or maintains supremacy, hegemony, or other forms of control over other nations. This pursuit of national interest is frequently advanced through violent coercion.[1][2][3] Entities driven by this ideology have been associated with significant political violence, even in times of peace.[4]

The Organic State

Political theorist Roger Griffin posits that ultranationalism emerges from a conception of the modern nation-state as a living organism. Within this framework, societies are mythologically divided into those perceived as degenerately inferior and those believed to possess a great cultural destiny. This perspective views the nation as capable of growth, decay, and even rebirth, a concept central to fascist ideologies.[3]

The Fascist Connection

According to scholar Janusz Bugajski, ultranationalism in its most developed form closely resembles fascism. It is characterized by a xenophobic disdain for other nations, support for authoritarian political structures that border on totalitarianism, and a mythical emphasis on the "organic unity" between a charismatic leader, a movement-style party, and the nation itself.[6]

The Ideological Framework

Mythicized Narratives

Roger Griffin argues that ultranationalism is fundamentally rooted in xenophobia, deriving its perceived legitimacy from deeply mythicized narratives of past cultural or political greatness. It often invokes "old scores to settle" against alleged enemies. This ideology can also co-opt "vulgarized forms" of natural sciences, particularly eugenics, to rationalize ideas of national superiority, destiny, degeneracy, and the subhumanness of others.[3]

Varying Expressions

Ultranationalist movements can adopt diverse attitudes towards historical traditions. For example, the British Union of Fascists embraced a secularist platform focused on technological progress. In stark contrast, the Iron Guard in Romania utilized a hardline, mysticism-driven form of religion to galvanize its followers. Despite these differences, obsessive views on ethnicity and the romanticization of sacrifice are common psychological underpinnings.[3]

Historical Manifestations

Imperial Japan

In his work Japan's Holy War, historian Walter Skya details how Japanese ultranationalism drew upon traditional Shinto spiritual beliefs and militaristic views on racial identity. By the early 20th century, this fusion of ethnic and religious nationalism fueled fanaticism, leading to opposition against democratic governance and justifying territorial expansion. This ideology received widespread popular support and was linked to significant political violence, including the assassination of five current or former prime ministers between 1921 and 1936.[4]

Democratic Kampuchea

The Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia provides a stark example of ultranationalism in practice. Historian Sambo Manara argues that the regime's belief system promoted a vision of supremacism and extreme xenophobia, leading to policies of social segregation. He states, "it was ultranationalism, combined with the notion of class struggle in communism and a group of politicians, which lead to the establishment of Democratic Kampuchea, a ruthless regime which claimed approximately three million lives."[7]

Ceaușescu's Romania

The totalitarian dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu has been described as an instance of Communism adopting an ultranationalist character. This was evident in the regime's antisemitism, which included historical denialism of the Holocaust and efforts to purge Romanians of Jewish background from positions of political authority.[8]

Modern Russia

Russian irredentism, which proposes a militant imperial state stretching across Asia and Europe irrespective of current borders, has been identified as a form of ultranationalism. The political arguments of figures like Aleksandr Dugin and Ivan Ilyin are seen as ideological precursors to the aggressive actions of Vladimir Putin, including the justifications for the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which was framed as a necessary struggle against a hostile "empire of lies."[11]

Ultranationalism & Political Violence

The LTTE in Sri Lanka

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) emerged from a context of strident Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism. Motivated by ultranationalism and revolutionary ideologies, the LTTE orchestrated a decades-long campaign of terrorism. Their actions, such as the 1985 Anuradhapura massacre of over one hundred civilians, demonstrate the violent potential of this ideology. The Journal of Hate Studies noted that for such groups, "ultranationalism subordinates all other claims for loyalty," explaining the commitment of militants to even engage in suicide missions.[275][276][277]

Golden Dawn in Greece

The Greek political organization Golden Dawn, characterized as an extremist party adapting neo-Nazi beliefs, gained prominence amid debates over immigration. Their campaign of violence culminated in the 2013 assassination of left-wing musician Pavlos Fyssas. The murder triggered widespread outrage and a police crackdown, leading to an October 2020 verdict that saw the party's leadership receive lengthy prison sentences for running a criminal organization.[278][279][280]

Parties & Organizations

Global Political Landscape

Ultranationalist ideologies have been, and continue to be, represented by numerous political parties and organizations across the globe. These groups often share characteristics such as xenophobia, authoritarianism, and a rejection of liberal democratic norms. The following table provides a non-exhaustive list of such entities, categorized by their political status.

Region Currently Represented Parties Formerly Represented or Factional Parties Other Organizations
Europe Freedom Party (Austria), Vlaams Belang (Belgium), Revival (Bulgaria), Republican Party (Chile), Homeland Movement (Croatia), ELAM (Cyprus), Freedom and Direct Democracy (Czech Rep.), National Rally (France), AfD (Germany), Greek Solution (Greece), Our Homeland (Hungary), Brothers of Italy (Italy), National Alliance (Latvia), Party for Freedom (Netherlands), Confederation (Poland), Chega (Portugal), AUR (Romania), LDPR (Russia), SNS (Slovakia), Vox (Spain), Sweden Democrats, Swiss People's Party, Svoboda (Ukraine) Jobbik (Hungary), Law and Justice (Poland), Lega (Italy), Serb Democratic Party (Bosnia), Golden Dawn (Greece), Iron Guard (Romania), Nazi Party (Germany), Ustaše (Croatia) Action Française (France), English Defence League (UK), Grey Wolves (Turkey), Azov Brigade (Ukraine), Club of Angry Patriots (Russia)
Asia Taliban (Afghanistan), Shiv Sena (India), Otzma Yehudit (Israel), Conservative Party (Japan), USDP (Myanmar), Palang Pracharath (Thailand), MHP (Turkey) Likud (Israel - Factions), LDP (Japan - Factions), Kuomintang (Historic), Golkar (Historic), Kataeb Party (Lebanon - Historic), UMNO (Malaysia - Historic) Nippon Kaigi (Japan), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (India), Pancasila Youth (Indonesia), Bodu Bala Sena (Sri Lanka)
Americas La Libertad Avanza (Argentina - Factions), Liberal Party (Brazil - Factions) - Proud Boys (USA), Patriot Front (USA), Social Patriot Movement (Chile)
Africa EFF (South Africa), uMkhonto weSizwe (South Africa) National Party (South Africa - Historic), ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe - Historic) -
Oceania Pauline Hanson's One Nation (Australia) - National Socialist Network (Australia)

Portrayals in Fiction

Air Force One (1997)

The action film features Gary Oldman as Egor Korshunov, a fanatical Kazakh ultranationalist who hijacks the U.S. presidential plane. A former Soviet soldier, Korshunov's actions are driven by a desire to restore his nation's perceived greatness and secure the release of an imprisoned dictator, embodying the ideology's commitment to radical action for nationalistic goals.[281][282]

Incitement (2019)

This Israeli film offers a fictionalized account of Yigal Amir, the ultranationalist activist who assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. The movie explores the psychological journey of its protagonist, portraying how a combination of religious fervor and extreme political ideology can culminate in an act of political violence intended to alter the course of a nation.[283][284]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Series

This popular video game series (2007-2011) prominently features a fictional Russian ultranationalist faction as its primary antagonist. The narrative explores a world where this group seizes power in Russia, leading to a global conflict. The games depict the faction's willingness to use extreme violence and terrorism to achieve its goal of restoring a Russian empire, reflecting ultranationalist themes of expansionism and historical revanchism.[285][286]

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References

References

  1.  Ultranationalism. Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  2.  Ultranationalism. Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  3.  https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/arts/music/28abroad.html: "the ultranationalist Swiss People's Party"
  4.  Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit parties to run together, Arutz7
A full list of references for this article are available at the Ultranationalism Wikipedia page

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