What Is Ultra-Nationalism?

"Totalitarian theory demonstrates that ultranationalism is central to the fascist worldview, and that what fascists believe is important. Fascists’ prioritization of the nation has radical implications, in that it potentially undermines family and property. Totalitarian theory also shows that fascism has much in common with religious fundamentalism, and that it pursues its goals with a violence justified by the conviction that opponents are part of a demonic conspiracy."

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Kevin Passmore, Fascism: A Very Short Introduction, 21.

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"Many contemporary scholars see extreme nationalism as the core of fascist ideology. Roger Griffin argues that fascism is a form of ‘populist ultranationalism’ which aims to reconstruct the nation following a period of perceived crisis and decline – he uses the Victorian term ‘palingenetic’, meaning ‘rebirth from the ashes’, to characterize fascism. This attempted national resurrection is totalitarian in aspiration, if not achievement. Michael Burleigh, meanwhile, has brought back the idea of Nazism as a substitute religion" (20). 

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"Nationalism was closely linked, for example, with paramilitarism and leader cult, for fascists believed the nation to be incarnate in the veterans and in the anointed leader" (23-4).

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"... fascism is a form of ultranationalist ideology and practice" (25). 

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"The focus on ultranationalism does, however, have the advantage of acknowledging the importance of fascists’ claim to be nationalists above all else" (25-6). 

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"All aspects of fascist policy are suffused with ultranationalism" (31).

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"The radical right did not, then, derive from ultranationalism or extreme antisocialism alone. It was a diffuse reaction, rooted in daily struggles for jobs, financial reward, educational success, and political honour against socialists, ethnic minorities, feminists, and liberals in a context of imperialism and nation-building. ... For ultranationalists everywhere, all such threats to the nation were connected. Socialism represented a danger to property, nation, and male power in the family. Jews were blamed for corrupting the nation, and promoting feminism and socialism. Feminists and socialists were the agents of Judaism. The radical right saw its enemies as part of a demonic conspiracy.

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"The radical right was not convinced that the established right was fit to deal with the danger..." (41).