Political uniform
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A number of political movements have involved their members wearing uniforms, typically as a way of showing their identity in marches. The wearing of political uniforms has tended to be associated with radical political beliefs, typically at the far-right or more rarely, far-left of politics, and can be used to imply a paramilitary type of organization.
Notable uniformed political groups have included:
- Brownshirts
- Blackshirts
- Silver Legion of America
- Blueshirts
- The National Reformer's Party
- Ku Klux Klan
- the Patriotic People's Movement of Finland
- the Green Shirt Movement for Social Credit
The youth sections of some political movements have also been uniformed:
- Hitler Youth (Youth wing of the German Nazi Party)
- Komsomol (Youth wing of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union)
A number of countries have legislation banning the wearing of political uniforms, such as the Public Order Act 1936 of the United Kingdom. Many also ban members of their armed forces from taking part in political activity when in uniform.
