Nietzsche's View of Communism and Marxism

Core Philosophical Opposition

1. Rejection of Egalitarianism

Nietzsche dismissed communism's premise of human equality as:

• A "slave morality" elevating mediocrity
• Herd mentality suppressing individual excellence
• Contradiction of "common good" (universal values = valueless)

2. Opposition to Historical Materialism

Replaced Marx's class struggle theory with his "will to power" concept:

• Rejected economic determinism as superficial
• Advocated aristocratic hierarchy over classless society
• Warned socialism would produce "last men" devoid of aspiration

Political & Social Critiques

Hostility to Socialist Movements

Characterized socialist revolutions as:

• "Saturnalia of barbarism" (Paris Commune)
• Vengeful mediocrity erasing cultural refinement
• Dangerous pacification of the masses

Strategic Silence on Marx

Notable omissions despite contextual awareness:

• Never directly engaged with Marx/Engels' works
• Possibly viewed them as representatives of "herd ideology"
• Indirectly attacked through socialism-Christianity parallels

Nietzsche vs. Marx: Philosophical Divergence

Concept	Nietzsche	Marx/Engels
Human Nature	Driven by will to power	Shaped by material conditions
Ideal Society	Aristocratic rule by Übermenschen	Classless communism
Revolution	Barbaric leveling	Worker liberation
Morality	"Slave morality" degrades strength	Bourgeois morality enables exploitation
Historical Force	Instinct & cultural vitality	Economic class struggle

Legacy and Contradictions

• Fascist misappropriation: Elite theories used by Nazis despite Nietzsche's anti-nationalism
• Left-Nietzschean tensions: Foucault/Deleuze attempts to reconcile with Marxism
• Fundamental incompatibility: Defense of aristocracy vs worker liberation

"Socialism is the fanciful younger brother of the decrepit despotism... which it wants to inherit."

- The Gay Science, §40

Conclusion: The Unbridgeable Chasm

Nietzsche framed communism as the apex of life-denying nihilism - his defense of hierarchy and instinctual power fundamentally opposed Marx's vision of collective emancipation. Their philosophies remain philosophically irreconcilable at foundational levels.