The life of the state and democratic society in Western countries is now built on liberal principles, which imply the existence of a multitude of points of view on various issues facing the country and society itself (the plurality of opinions is called the term "pluralism"). It was this difference in views that provoked the division into left and right, as well as centrists. These directions are generally accepted in the world. How do they differ among themselves? And how are relations between those who have right-wing views and those who call themselves "left" characterized?
Right political direction
First of all, it must be said that such terms refer to socio-political movements and ideology. Right-wing views are sharply criticized for reform. Such parties are in favor of maintaining the existing economic and political regime. At different times, the preferences of such groups may differ, which also depends on the culture and the region. For example, at the beginning of the nineteenth century in America, politicians who had the right views, advocated the preservation of the slave system, and already in the twenty-first century - against medical reform for the poor.
Left political direction
We can say that this is a kind of antipode of the right. Left-wing political views are the collective name for ideologies and movements that advocate reform and a major change in the existing political and economic regime. These areas include socialism, communism, anarchy and social democracy. Leftists demand equality and justice for all.
The history of the separation of political views and the emergence of parties
In the seventeenth century, there was a split in France between the aristocracy, which actually had then sole power, and the bourgeoisie, content with the modest role of a creditor. Left and right political views were formed after the revolution in parliament. It happened so that in the right wing of the parliament there were so-called felians who wanted to preserve and strengthen the monarchy and regulate the monarch with the help of the constitution. In the center were the Girondins — that is, “wavering”. The Jacobin deputies, who were supporters of radical and fundamental changes, as well as all sorts of revolutionary movements and actions, were seated on the left side. Thus, there was a division into right and left views. The concepts “reactionary” and “conservative” became a synonym for the former, and the latter were often called radicals and progressives.
How blurry are these concepts?
Left and right political views are actually very arbitrary. At different times in different countries, virtually identical political ideas were assigned to one or another position. For example, after its appearance, liberalism was unambiguously considered a leftist movement. Then they began to define him as a political center in terms of compromise and alternative between the two extremes.
Today, liberalism (more precisely, neoliberalism) is one of the most conservative areas, and liberal organizations can be classified as right-wing parties. Some publicists even tend to talk about neoliberalism as a new kind of fascism. Even such a strange point of view takes place, because you can recall the Chilean liberal Pinochet with his concentration camps.
Communists and Bolsheviks - who are they?
Left and right political views are often not only difficult to separate, but also mixed together. A striking example of such contradictions is communism. The vast majority of the Bolshevik and Communist parties entered the big arena after separating from the Social Democracy, which gave rise to them.
The Social Democrats were typical leftists who demanded the expansion of political rights and freedoms for the population, improvement of the economic and social situation of workers by reform methods and gradual peaceful transformations. The then right parties actively fought against all this. The Communists accused the Social Democrats of cowardice and headed for faster shifts in society, which is clearly seen in the history of Russia.
Objectively speaking, the material situation of the working class has nevertheless improved. However, the political regime established in the Soviet Union completely destroyed all the democratic rights and freedoms of the people instead of expanding them, as the very left social democrats would have demanded. Under Stalin, the totalitarian right regime flourished. Hence the persistent problem in the classification of certain parties.
Sociological differences
It is in the field of sociology that the first difference can be found. Leftists represent the so-called popular strata of the population - the poorest, with virtually no property. It was them that Karl Marx called proletarians, and today they are called hired workers, that is, people who live only on wages.
Right-wing views have always been directed more towards independent individuals who can live both in the city and in the village, but own land or some means of production (a shop, enterprise, workshop, and so on), that is, they force others to work, or work for themselves.
Naturally, nothing prevents the right-wing parties from contacting the aforementioned proletariat, but not in the first place. This difference is the first and fundamental line of separation: on the one hand there are the bourgeois, leading cadres, representatives of free professions, owners of commercial and industrial enterprises; on the other hand, are poor peasant farmers and hired workers. Naturally, the border between these two camps is blurred and unstable, which is characterized by the frequent flow of personnel from one side to the other. Also, one should not forget about the notorious middle class, which is an intermediate state. Nowadays, this border has become even more arbitrary.
Historical and philosophical distinction
Ever since the time of the French Revolution, the left-wing political view has been directed towards radical politics and reforms. The present state of affairs never satisfied politicians of this kind, they always stood for change and revolution. Thus, the left showed their commitment and desire for rapid progress. Right-wing views are not opposed to development; they demonstrate the need to protect and restore long-standing values.
As a result, one can observe a conflict between two opposing directions - the adherents of the movement and the supporters of order, conservatism. Naturally, one should not forget about the mass of transitions and shades. In politics, representatives of left-wing parties see a means to trigger change, an opportunity to leave the past, change everything that is possible. The right-wingers see power as a way to maintain the necessary continuity.
What is characteristic, one can also discern certain differences in relation to reality in general. Leftists often show a clear inclination towards all kinds of utopia and idealism, while their opponents are unequivocal realists and pragmatists. However, notorious right-wing fans can also be enthusiastic fanatics, albeit quite dangerous.
Political distinction
Left-wing politicians have long proclaimed themselves defenders of popular interests and the only representatives of trade unions, parties and associations of workers and peasants. The right-wingers, although they clearly do not express their contempt for the people, are adherents of the cult of their native land, the head of state, devotion to the idea of the nation. In the end, it is not in vain that they are called the spokesmen of national ideas (often they are prone to nationalism, authoritarianism and xenophobia), and their political opponents - the ideas of the republic. In practice, both parties can act both from a democratic standpoint and use explicit totalitarian methods of influence.
The extreme form of rightness can be called a rigidly centralized totalitarian state (for example, the Third Reich), and leftism is frenzied anarchism, which seeks to destroy any power in general.
Economic difference
Left-wing political views are characterized by a denial of capitalism. Their carriers are forced to put up with him, because they still trust the state more than the market. They welcome nationalization with enthusiasm, and look at privatization with deepest regret.
Those politicians who have the right views believe that it is the market that is the fundamental factor in the development of the state and the economy in general within the whole world. Naturally, capitalism is enthusiastic in this environment, and all sorts of privatizations are sharply criticized and rejected. This does not prevent the nationalist from being a supporter of a strong state and strengthening the public sector in various sectors of the economy, and to a person with left-wing views, be a libertarian (adherent of the maximum free market). However, the main points remain generally unshakable: the idea of a strong state is on the left, and free market relations on the right; a planned economy is on the left, and competition and competition is on the right.
Differences in Ethical Views
Left and right political views also differ in their views on the national question. The former stand for anthropocentrism and traditional humanism. The latter proclaim the ideas of a common ideal that would dominate a single individual. It is here that the roots of the left-wing religiosity and atheism, inherent in most right, lie. Another difference is the importance of nationalism for the former and the need for internationalism and cosmopolitanism for the latter.