Of Course the NAZIs were Socialists

For some reason most people think the Nazis were some particularly awful group of right wingers. I've never understood why the National Socialist German Workers' Party wasn't properly thought of as left wing. Not so far left as, say the USSR, but over there.

National Socialists like the Nazis, the Italians under Mussolini, Spain under Franco, Argentina under the Perons, and some might dare claim the US Government of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, were quite different from each other, devoted to developing their own socialism peculiarly appropriate to the national culture. The International socialists wanted a global system.

People dispute the idea of their even being socialists, suggesting that the name was some sort of scam.

Here are some excerpts from the Nazi Party program, as presented by the Avalon Project at Yale Law School:

11. That all unearned income, and all income that does not arise from work, be abolished.

12. Since every war imposes on the people fearful sacrifices in blood and treasure, all personal profit arising from the war must be regarded as treason to the people We therefore demand the total confiscation of all war profits.

13. We demand the nationalization of all trusts.

14. We demand profit-sharing in large industries.

15. We demand a generous increase in old-age pensions.

16. We demand the creation and maintenance of a sound middle-class, the immediate communalization of large stores which will be rented cheaply to small tradespeople, and the strongest consideration must be given to ensure that small traders shall deliver the supplies needed by the State, the provinces and municipalities.

17. We demand an agrarian reform in accordance with our national requirements, and the enactment of a law to expropriate the owners without compensation of any land needed for the common purpose. The abolition of ground rents, and the prohibition of all speculation in land.

18. We demand that ruthless war be waged against those who work to the injury of the common welfare. Traitors, usurers, profiteers, etc., are to be punished with death, regardless of creed or race.

20. In order to make it possible for every capable and industrious German to obtain higher education, and thus the opportunity to reach into positions of leadership, the State must assume the responsibility of organizing thoroughly the entire cultural system of the people .

24.... The party...is convinced that a lasting recovery of our folk can only come about from within on the principle:

COMMON GOOD BEFORE INDIVIDUAL GOOD

Left unexplained, as lefties frequently do, is just how the common good can be separated from the good of the individuals who make up the commune.

Right wing? Sure, to a communist.