We regularly hear people arguing about Left wing or Right wing in politics, or people having 'Leftist','Liberal' or 'Right wing' terms in their Facebook ,twitter profiles.
So what exactly these words mean ? What is the difference between Left and Right ideologies of the politics? And most importantly how these terms left and right originated ?
In this post we have tried to throw some light on this issue---
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| pic credits iagreetosee.com |
- Basically the left right political spectrum is a system of classifying political positions,ideologies and parties.
- Left and Right wing politics are often represented as opposed.Although a particular individual may take left wing stance on one matter and a right wing stance on another. Sometimes both may overlap and be considered either Left or Right wing depending upon the ideology.
- Historically Right has broadly come to be associated with conservative parties ,while Left with socialist parties.
- Left are those groups challenging the establishment.Right are those groups that was about preserving the traditions.
- Generally, the Left wing is characterized by emphasis on ideas such as freedom, equality, fraternity, rights, progress, reform and internationalism. While the Right wing is characterized by an emphasis on notions such as authority, hierarchy, order ,duty, tradition and 'Nationalism' .
- The right is considered the party sector associated with the interests of the upper or dominant classes.While Left is assumed , expressive of the lower economic or social classes. Although this division may not be entirely true.
History of Left & Right term :(Why these terms named left & right)-
A lot of terms that we use in modern democracies come from the French revolution. In 1789,Louis XVI convened a national assembly.In this assembly supporters of the king sat on one side(right),and those of the revolution on the other(left). Since then Left and Right terms are constantly being used in philosophy and politics.
In France where the terms originated the left has been called "The party of movement",and the Right "the party of order". The intermediate stance is called centrism and a person with such a position is a moderate or centrist.
Some more facts regarding Left and Right ideologies-
- The contemporary Left in the United states is usually understood or identified with 'Democratic party', and 'Republican party as right wing.Though it won't be justice to call them strictly left or Right.
- The term extreme right wing has also been applied to movements including Fascists, Nazis & radical supremacists.And movement against racism etc are considered left oriented.
- The term Capitalism is also sometimes associated with Right wing.
- In Indian context BJP & SHIV SENA are Right leaning and CPI,CPM are Left leaning among the popular parties. All the other parties are a mash up of both Right and Left ideas and policies.
(We hope this article will clear many doubts regarding Left or Right ideologies of politics, for any query drop a comment)
