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AHC: Alliance between the far-left and far-right

L

lerk

Well-known member
Much has been written about the similarities between the two extremes of the political spectrum and how they agree on certain topics. However, even though there are some things similar (shared opposition to liberalism, capitalism etc.) the differences between the two were, and are, sufficient to prevent any sort of "Red-Brown" alliance from actually being formed. Could this not be the case? How could the far-right and far-left actually converge internationally?
 
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lerk said:
Could this not be the case? How could the far-right and far-left actually converge internationally?
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I once had a vague concept of Ernest Röhm and the SA managing to seize control of Germany in a coup and allying with the Soviets before an Alt-World War 2 is declared. Whilst Röhm and his colleagues were related to the ‘Beefsteak’ persuasion they were still incredibly Right Wing.
 
The Molotov-Rippentrop pact only happened because of Realpolitik, and both sides intended to stab the other in the back within a few years. Nor would I describe it as a alliance.
 
Honestly I'd say through lowest common denominator pandering. If the nationalists think they can gain support by promising (more of) an economic free lunch, or if the leftists think they can gain support by appealing to anti-outsider sentiment, then the overlap could occur.
 
lerk said:
Much has been written about the similarities between the two extremes of the political spectrum and how they agree on certain topics. However, even though there are some things similar (shared opposition to liberalism, capitalism etc.) the differences between the two were, and are, sufficient to prevent any sort of "Red-Brown" alliance from actually being formed. Could this not be the case? How could the far-right and far-left actually converge internationally?
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The far right isn't actually opposed to capitalism though. It just thinks "they" shouldn't be in control of it. And by that, they mean the Jews.

The only "leftists" who would buy into this are those who also lack a structural analysis. Left populists and the like. But at this point they're just fascists with a sprinkling of left wing rhetoric, something fascists are already known to adopt shamelessly even if they rarely mean any of it.

Torten said:
The Molotov-Rippentrop pact only happened because of Realpolitik, and both sides intended to stab the other in the back within a few years. Nor would I describe it as a alliance.
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Also it was in some ways a continuation of Weimar era alignment. Germany and the USSR had very few options for economic partners.

Coiler said:
Honestly I'd say through lowest common denominator pandering. If the nationalists think they can gain support by promising (more of) an economic free lunch, or if the leftists think they can gain support by appealing to anti-outsider sentiment, then the overlap could occur.
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I'm not sure they'd converge, even then? All far right movements have had a large element of scaremongering about the left. They can't really retain their credibility by going against it. Stealing rhetoric from the left? Sure, they do it all the time. But coming together as partners? No, the goal is to displace, not ally.

But yeah there was no alliance and even less ideological convergence.
 
Nyvis said:
Also it was in some ways a continuation of Weimar era alignment. Germany and the USSR had very few options for economic partners.
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I was pondering that the only way to have a ‘Far Right-Far Left’ Alliance would be if Von Schielcher’s ‘Querfront’ got of the ground and Gregor Strasser leads a Right Wing coalition who look to the Soviet Union as potential allies in any future war etc.
 
Time Enough said:
I was pondering that the only way to have a ‘Far Right-Far Left’ Alliance would be if Von Schielcher’s ‘Querfront’ got of the ground and Gregor Strasser leads a Right Wing coalition who look to the Soviet Union as potential allies in any future war etc.
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An alliance between a far right nation and a far left one is much more likely than an alliance between such movements within the same country, that's true. On the other hand, the far right has never really reached power without recuperating traditional right wing movements and cooperating with their moneyed backers and those would oppose such an alliance so I have no idea what that would look like. Probably a lot more like a socially reactionary far left movement than a conventional far right movement.
 
There have definitely been attempts at alliances between the far right and various anti-imperialist national liberation movements, whether those be nominally socialist or otherwise. The SLP Blog, as usual, has something to say!

(Speaking of - anyone have any good sources on the unsuccessful talks between the Nation of Islam and the American Nazi Party? The NOI is probably closer to the far-right end of things anyway but it's an interesting historical moment.)
 
I think the main issue is that when things of that nature have happened - LaRouche collaborating with the Klan, for instance - it’s just resulted in one or the other group crossing. The far-left and far-right are substantially created out of opposition to the other - if there were to be a convergence I think it would mean one or both converging groups would leak members and new ones would be created.
 
Nyvis said:
An alliance between a far right nation and a far left one is much more likely than an alliance between such movements within the same country, that's true. On the other hand, the far right has never really reached power without recuperating traditional right wing movements and cooperating with their moneyed backers and those would oppose such an alliance so I have no idea what that would look like. Probably a lot more like a socially reactionary far left movement than a conventional far right movement.
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Before the Invasion of Ethiopia and the Spanish Civil War, Fascist Italy and the Soviet Union had very good relations. The dispute between fascism and communism was considered an internal matter.
 
Ricardolindo said:
Before the Invasion of Ethiopia and the Spanish Civil War, Fascist Italy and the Soviet Union had very good relations. The dispute between fascism and communism was considered an internal matter.
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Yeah but as soon as they start looking at movements in the same country (like in Spain), it goes up in flame.

It's true that Stalin's version of socialism in one country made it much easier by giving him the power to neuter international communist parties if it suited his foreign policy and abandoning ambitions of spreading communism.
 
Creekmench said:
The Russian National Salvation Front takes power in 1993, somehow survive and by the grace of God and the Devil birth some kind of weird Nazbol brew for governance.
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Or heck, wasn't there also talk about a Red Brown Alliance in the election against Yeltsin's reelection? Maybe if say Lebed made to the second round? Wouldn't be a formal alliance of course but maybe snag some cabinet seats, I dunno.
 
Wolfram said:
The far-left and far-right are substantially created out of opposition to the other - if there were to be a convergence I think it would mean one or both converging groups would leak members and new ones would be created.
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Very true. I do always think those NatBol, National Syndicalists and the Querfront would have just descended into being Corporatist Fascism with a Left Wing paint job.
 
I do think that far-left and far-right actors can align for short term purposes, but in the longer term it simply isn’t viable. As others said you can have people switch from one side to the other (especially far-left to far-right), or have some on the far-right put some red paint on their appearances (vice-versa with the far-left).
 
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