Koshelev, D.A. Neonazism and its role in social and political life of the European Union.

Abstract: It’s been over sixty years since the defeat of German nazism by the united forces of East and West, the relationship between Russia and Germany has changed since then and they are now economical and political partners. However, a variety of neo-nazi and racist groups, parties and movements keep functioning in Europe and their popularity among the youth, as well as among the part of the population, which is hostile toward foreigners, is immense. These tendencies are obvious in the “old Europe” (such as Germany, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Holland), as well as in a number of post-Soviet European countries (such as Latvia). As a result, the “enlightened Europe” has become not only the center of liberal and tolerant ideas, but a world export center of nazi ideology. The author of this article reviews the issue of historical roots of nazism in political and cultural life of a society.