Left and right views in politics. What are the political views?

The life of the state and democratic society in the countries of the West is now built on liberal principles, which assume the existence of multiple points of view on various issues facing the country and the society itself (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. What are they different from each other? And how are relations between those who have right-wing views and those who call themselves "leftists" characterized?

Right-wing political direction

First of all, it must be said that such terms refer to socio-political movements and ideology. Right-wing views are characterized by sharp criticism of reforms. Such parties favor the preservation of 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, in the early nineteenth century in America, politicians who had right-wing 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 to the right. Left political views are a collective name for ideologies and movements that favor reforms and a large-scale change in the existing political and economic regime. These areas include socialism, communism, anarchy and social democracy. The Left demands 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 in fact had then the sole power, and the bourgeoisie, satisfied with the modest role of the creditor. Left and right political views were formed after the revolution in parliament. It happened so accidentally 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, the "waverers." In the left side, the Jacobin deputies settled, who were supporters of radical and fundamental changes, as well as all kinds of revolutionary movements and actions. Thus, a division into right and left views took place. Synonym of the first became the concepts of "reactionary" and "conservative", and the second was often called radicals and progressives.

How diffuse are these concepts?

Left and right political views are in fact very conditional. At different times in different countries, one or another position was taken to include virtually identical political ideas. For example, after its appearance, liberalism was unequivocally regarded as a leftist trend. Then he was defined as a political center in terms of compromise and an alternative between the two extremes.

To date, liberalism (more precisely, neo-liberalism) 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 remember the Chilean liberal Pinochet with his concentration camps.

Who are the Communists and Bolsheviks?

Left and right political views are often not only difficult to separate, but also intermixed. A vivid example of such contradictions is communism. The overwhelming majority of the Bolshevik and Communist parties emerged on the big arena after disengagement from the Social Democracy, which gave birth to them.

The Social Democrats were typical Lefts, who demanded the expansion of the political rights and freedoms for the population, and the improvement of the economic and social status of the working people by methods of reform and gradual peaceful reforms. Against all this actively fought the then right-wing parties. The Communists accused the Social Democrats of being cowardly and headed for faster shifts in society, which is clearly seen in the history of Russia.

Objectively speaking, the material position of the working class has improved. However, the political regime established in the Soviet Union completely destroyed all democratic rights and freedoms of the people, instead of expanding them, as the same left-wing Social Democrats would have demanded. Under Stalin, the totalitarian right-wing regime flourished altogether. Hence, there is a persistent problem in the classification of certain parties.

Sociological differences

It is in the field of sociology that the first distinction can be found. The left represents the so-called popular strata of the population - the poorest, with virtually no property. It was Karl Marx who called them proletarians, and today they are called hired workers, that is, people who live only on wages.

Right-wing views have always been directed towards independent individuals who can live in the city and in the countryside, but own land or any means of production (shop, business, workshop, etc.), that is, they force others to work or Work for themselves.

Naturally, there is nothing to prevent the right parties from contacting the above-mentioned proletariat, but not in the first place. This difference is the first and fundamental line of division: on the one hand are the bourgeois, leading cadres, representatives of free professions, owners of commercial and industrial enterprises; On the other hand, poor peasant farmers and hired workers. Naturally, the boundary between these two camps is blurred and unstable, which is characterized by a frequent flow of frames from one side to the other. Also, one should not forget about the notorious middle class, which is an intermediate state. In our time, this border has become even more conventional.

Historical and philosophical distinction

Ever since the French Revolution, the left-wing political view has been directed towards radical politics and reforms. The present state of affairs has never satisfied politicians of this kind, they have always been in favor of change and revolution. Thus, the left showed commitment and the desire for rapid progress. Right-wing views are not opponents of development, they demonstrate the need to protect and restore long-standing values.

As a result, it is possible to observe the conflict of two opposing trends - adherents of the movement and supporters of order, conservatism. Naturally, one should not forget about the mass of transitions and shades. In politics, representatives of the leftist parties see a means to launch change, the opportunity to escape from the past, to change everything that is possible. Right-wingers, however, look at power as a way to maintain the necessary continuity.

What is characteristic, it is also possible to discern certain differences in attitude towards reality in general. The left often shows an obvious propensity to utopia and idealism, while their opponents are unequivocal realists and pragmatists. However, well-known right-wing fans can also be enthusiastic fanatics, albeit very dangerous.

Political difference

For a long time, the left-wing politicians have proclaimed themselves defenders of popular interests and the only representatives of trade unions, parties and associations of workers and peasants. The rightists, 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, they are not for nothing called the spokesmen of national ideas (often they are inclined to nationalism, authoritarianism and xenophobia), and their political opponents - the ideas of the republic. In practice, both sides can act both from a democratic standpoint and use explicit totalitarian methods of influence.

The extreme form of regularity can be called a rigidly centralized totalitarian state (for example, the Third Reich), and leftism - a rabid anarchism, which seeks to destroy any power at all.

Economic difference

Left political views are characterized by the negation of capitalism. Their carriers are compelled to put up with it, since they still trust the state more than the market. They welcome nationalization with enthusiasm, and they look at privatization with the deepest regret.

Those politicians who have right-wing 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 meets with enthusiasm in this environment, and all kinds of privatization - with sharp criticism and non-acceptance. This does not prevent the nationalist from being a supporter of a strong state and strengthening the public sector in various spheres of the economy, and a person with leftist views is a libertarian (adherent to the maximum free market). However, the main theses remain generally unshakable: the idea of a strong state is on the left, and free market relations are on the right; Planned economy is on the left, and competition and competition are on the right.

Differences in ethical views

Left and right political views also differ in their views on the national question. The former advocate anthropocentrism and traditional humanism. The latter proclaim the ideas of a common ideal that would dominate an individual person. It is here that the roots of the majority of rightist religiosity and atheism of the left lie. Another difference is the importance of nationalism for the former and the need for internationalism and cosmopolitanism for the latter.