10 Similarities and Differences of National and Democratic Socialism

7. Democratic Socialism is more of a global movement than National Socialism.

Hitler believed in a “Germany first” approach to foreign policy. The fatherland was second to none in devotion and loyalty. National Socialists believe their primary goal is to make National Socialism successful at home first and all other countries are secondary targets. The site Justice 4 Germans writes:

“From the perspective of the National Socialists, ‘nationalism’ meant an appreciation for and a duty to, preserve the nation or Volksgemeinschaft, in all respects, visa vis the ‘folkish’ interests of other nations, as well as, from international interests… National Socialism, therefore, fought AGAINST ‘internationalism’ which destroys nations through rootless and ever changing cosmopolitanism.”

Democratic Socialists take a more international approach. They believe Socialism is a necessary institution to be spread wherever possible. They believe all people’s should adhere to the doctrines of the ideology and be subject to it’s benefits. Democratic Socialists of America says:

“Now, more than ever, socialism is an international movement. As socialists have always known, the welfare of working people in Finland or California depends largely on standards in Italy or Indonesia. As a result, we must work towards reforms that can withstand the power of multinationals and global banks, and we must fight for a world order that is not controlled by bankers and bosses”

This is not to be confused with the Soviet brand of Communism, which believed in a global conquest in the name of Communism. The Soviets did not care for the Democratic process as the Democratic Socialists did. The Soviets wanted a strong leader to emerge from the carnage of war to lead their people to Communism.