The Metaphysics of National Bolshevism: Dugin’s Vision
Alexander Dugin, the influential Russian political philosopher, has made significant contributions to contemporary political theory by challenging the established liberal order. One of his most controversial ideologies is National Bolshevism, an idea that combines elements of nationalism and Bolshevism, forming a unique political synthesis. While these two ideologies may appear to be incompatible, Dugin argues that, on a deeper metaphysical level, they can be harmonized into a singular vision that opposes modern liberalism.
In this blog post, we will explore the core of Dugin’s philosophy as presented in his work The Metaphysics of National Bolshevism, tracing its intellectual lineage, metaphysical foundations, and the political implications of this synthesis.
Introduction to National Bolshevism
National Bolshevism, as articulated by Dugin, is more than a political ideology. It represents a metaphysical stance, positioning itself as the enemy of liberal individualism. Dugin sees modern liberalism, embodied in the Open Society, as a corrupt force that destroys the deeper spiritual and collective bonds that once united nations and civilizations. Liberalism, with its emphasis on individual rights, rationalism, and global capitalism, has undermined traditional social structures. National Bolshevism is his answer to this, merging nationalist principles with the revolutionary spirit of Bolshevism.
By uniting nationalism, often associated with the political right, and Bolshevism, rooted in Marxist left-wing theory, Dugin presents a paradoxical ideology that transcends the conventional political spectrum. His work challenges the notion that right and left are fundamentally opposed, suggesting instead that they can be synthesized to offer a revolutionary alternative to the modern world order.
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The Open Society and Its Enemies
At the core of Dugin’s critique is Karl Popper’s influential work The Open Society and Its Enemies, which champions liberal democracy and critiques totalitarianism. Popper’s central argument is that all forms of authoritarianism, whether rooted in philosophy or politics, arise from the rejection of open, critical inquiry.
He sees figures like Plato, Hegel, and Marx as intellectual precursors to totalitarianism because their philosophies emphasize the collective or the absolute over the individual. Popper argues that the Open Society, based on the centrality of individual freedom and rational inquiry, is the best defense against tyranny.
Dugin views Popper’s defense of the Open Society as the intellectual foundation of the liberal world order that he opposes. For Dugin, liberalism’s focus on individualism weakens the collective identities of nations and civilizations. The Open Society atomizes individuals, breaking the spiritual and communal bonds that sustain a strong national or cultural identity. In opposition, National Bolshevism seeks to restore these bonds by rejecting liberalism’s prioritization of the individual over the collective.
Dugin’s critique of the Open Society is not merely political but metaphysical. He argues that the Open Society represents a form of desacralization, where rationality and individualism replace the deeper spiritual truths that once guided human society. In this sense, Dugin positions himself as a defender of the sacred against the profane forces of liberal modernity.
The Paradox of National Bolshevism
National Bolshevism, as a concept, appears paradoxical at first glance. Nationalism, typically associated with the right, emphasizes the sovereignty and unity of the nation-state, while Bolshevism, rooted in Marxism, is an internationalist movement aimed at the global proletarian revolution. How, then, can these two seemingly opposing ideologies be combined?
Dugin argues that the synthesis of nationalism and Bolshevism is not only possible but necessary to confront the modern world’s liberal order. He suggests that the key to this synthesis lies in a metaphysical understanding of both ideologies. Rather than seeing nationalism and Bolshevism as purely political or economic systems, Dugin frames them as metaphysical forces that can work together to challenge liberalism’s dominance.
Historically, Dugin points to early 20th-century movements in Russia and Germany that combined nationalist and Bolshevik elements. In Russia, some Bolsheviks sought to preserve the national identity and sovereignty of the state even as they pursued a communist revolution. Similarly, in Germany, figures like Ernst Niekisch envisioned a form of National Bolshevism that combined leftist economic policies with right-wing nationalist ideals. These historical examples, according to Dugin, offer a model for the future.
In Dugin’s vision, National Bolshevism is not merely a political ideology but a metaphysical stance that transcends the limitations of both nationalism and Bolshevism. It offers a new way of understanding history, society, and politics that rejects the atomization of individuals under liberalism and instead embraces collective spiritual destiny.
Metaphysical Foundations of National Bolshevism
Dugin’s metaphysical approach to National Bolshevism challenges the rationalist foundations of modern liberalism. He argues that the liberal order, epitomized by Popper’s Open Society, is based on Enlightenment rationalism, which prioritizes reason, scientific inquiry, and gradual progress. For Dugin, this rationalist worldview is deeply flawed because it ignores the spiritual and mystical dimensions of human existence.
Dugin contrasts liberal rationalism with the traditionalist thought of figures like Julius Evola, who critiqued modernity for its materialism and desacralization. Evola, like Dugin, believed that the modern world had lost touch with its spiritual roots. He argued that modern society, with its emphasis on reason and progress, had stripped life of its sacred dimensions. Dugin draws heavily on Evola’s philosophy in his critique of modernity, particularly Evola’s idea of riding the tiger—embracing the chaos of modernity in order to transcend it.
For Dugin, National Bolshevism offers a way to restore the sacred in a world that has become overly rational and materialistic. He views rationalism as inherently limited, unable to address the deeper spiritual truths that give life meaning. By rejecting the rationalist foundations of liberalism, Dugin argues, National Bolshevism can create a new political order that is grounded in spiritual values and collective identity.
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Bolshevism Beyond Materialism
While Bolshevism is often associated with Marxist materialism, Dugin offers a more nuanced interpretation. He argues that Bolshevism, particularly in its Russian context, has a mystical and revolutionary character that goes beyond class struggle and economic determinism. Dugin points out that the early Bolsheviks, particularly under Lenin and Stalin, were driven by a sense of historical destiny and national mission, not just Marxist dogma.
Dugin’s interpretation of Bolshevism emphasizes its esoteric and spiritual dimensions. He argues that Marxism, in its original form, was not merely a materialist doctrine but a revolutionary force aimed at transforming society on a metaphysical level. Marx’s theory of history, with its emphasis on dialectical materialism, can be seen as a secular version of the ancient myth of the return to the Golden Age, a central theme in many religious and esoteric traditions.
In Dugin’s view, Bolshevism is not just a left-wing political ideology but a revolutionary force that can be used to challenge the liberal order and restore a more holistic understanding of society. By combining the revolutionary spirit of Bolshevism with the nationalist emphasis on collective identity, Dugin believes National Bolshevism can offer a new path for the future.
Nationalism as a Sacred Mission
Dugin’s conception of nationalism differs from the conventional understanding found in Western political thought. In the liberal tradition, nationalism is often seen as a political construct based on shared language, culture, and history. However, Dugin views the nation as a metaphysical entity with a sacred mission.
Drawing on traditionalist and Eurasianist thought, Dugin argues that nations have a transcendent quality, guided by a spiritual force or “angel.” This metaphysical nationalism is not merely a political or cultural identity but a spiritual calling. Dugin refers to the concept of a nation’s angel, a divine entity that guides the nation’s destiny throughout history. This idea of the nation as a spiritual entity aligns with his broader rejection of liberal individualism and materialism.
In this framework, the nation is not just a collection of individuals bound by legal or cultural ties. It is a living entity with a unique destiny and purpose in the world. For Dugin, the task of National Bolshevism is to restore the sacred mission of nations, particularly in the context of his Eurasianist vision.
The Role of Eurasianism in National Bolshevism
Eurasianism plays a central role in Dugin’s vision of National Bolshevism. He advocates for the creation of a Eurasian empire that unites the nations of the Eurasian landmass in opposition to the capitalist West. This geopolitical vision draws on the historical and cultural traditions of the Eurasian region, which includes Russia, Central Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe.
For Dugin, Eurasianism is not just a geopolitical strategy but a metaphysical project. He believes that the Eurasian empire represents a higher form of political and cultural organization, one that transcends the nation-state model of the West. In this vision, the nations of Eurasia are united by a common spiritual mission, guided by the principles of National Bolshevism.
Dugin contrasts this vision with the liberal, capitalist order of the West, which he sees as dominated by materialism and individualism. He argues that the Eurasian empire, grounded in spiritual and cultural values, offers a superior alternative to the decadence of Western liberalism.
Synthesis of Right and Left in National Bolshevism
One of the most innovative aspects of Dugin’s thought is his attempt to synthesize elements from both the political right and left. National Bolshevism draws on nationalism and traditionalism, typically associated with the right, while also embracing the revolutionary spirit and anti-capitalist stance of the left.
For Dugin, this synthesis is not merely political but metaphysical. National Bolshevism represents a way to transcend the limitations of both liberalism and totalitarianism by creating a new political paradigm. This paradigm rejects the atomization of the individual under liberalism and instead embraces a collective spiritual destiny.
Dugin’s vision of National Bolshevism challenges the conventional political spectrum. By bringing together elements from both ends of the spectrum, he seeks to create a new ideological framework that can address the spiritual and cultural crises of the modern world.
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Conclusion
Alexander Dugin’s The Metaphysics of National Bolshevism presents a bold and controversial vision for the future. By synthesizing nationalism and Bolshevism, Dugin offers an alternative to the liberal world order that he sees as spiritually bankrupt and materially obsessed. His metaphysical approach challenges the rationalism and individualism of modern liberalism, proposing instead a return to spiritual values and collective identity.
In Dugin’s vision, National Bolshevism is not just a political ideology but a metaphysical stance. It represents a new way of understanding society, history, and politics that transcends the limitations of both right and left. Whether one agrees with Dugin’s ideas or not, his critique of liberalism and his vision for a new political order force us to reconsider the fundamental assumptions of modern politics.