Political leanings form a part of our belief system. We often engage in talks or discussion or debates that seem to exhibit political leaning towards Right, Left or Center. The article covers the origin as well as certain distinctive characteristics which 3 sets of domains expresses.
Distorted view of politics
We often engage in discussion or debates with our friends, relatives or any other persons regarding issues that are political in nature. When I talk about politics you could be thinking that politics is probably politicians debating in assembly or something that is usually seen in a degrading sense. Probably because popular media has reduced it power play or scandal linked to politicians. So, whenever one talks about politics it evokes a sense of discomfort.
Let me tell you politics is absolutely not what is perpetuated by the media or social media. We are rearing a dumber generation by reducing everything thing to cause, movement or concept.
What being political actually means ?
Broadly speaking politics is everywhere. Even a thought that comes to your mind concerning issues greater than yourself is political. Principles concerning justice, fairness, rights, equality, freedom are all political. Not long ago it was settled politics is realm of affairs that ought to outside of what people do out side their homes like working, talking, joining a union, debating at coffee houses, voting, educating or getting educated all constituted being political (civic action).
Feminist opposed this artificial classification, they say "personal is political" that even in home, politics is present. For example patriarchy defines structured role for women, reducing them to domestic spheres. So, politics is omnipresent in expression of us if we are to live collectively. Its everywhere in our thoughts and actions.
Origins of Right and Left
Political leanings are can come from our understanding as well as our experience. When debating or even interacting they are expressed. It has its origins in the French revolution where in its assembly of estates general the seating arrangements were so that contrasting ideological differences were seating positions in the assembly.
The Left (crudely socialism) would sit to the left and the Right (Crudely conservatism) would sit to the right. As simple as that.
Broadly 3 dimensions on which the two differed
- Values
- Human nature
- State intervention
And it is on these dimensions you asses political leanings
On a horizontal line it looks something like this :
So, you can see there are 5 major political ideologies that stretch from one end to another. Any expression governing a political thought can be categorized crudely into any of the above (barring Multiculturalism, Feminism, Ecologism, Religious fundamentalism).
But how to figure Political leanings ?
Its easy! The most basic argument between among two sides is Liberty Vs Equality. The person who is left leaning is in tacit agreement to forgone of liberty for sake of equality and those Right leaning are in agreement to full liberty even if it compromises equality (Equality can be of many forms but here it is taken broadly).
In a perfect competition there are going to be winners and losers. But about people who are born poor or those who suffer from ailments brought upon by nature, if they were to compete with persons having wealth and prosperity it might turn out to be a unfair competition. Even boxing has weight categories. Left tries address it and therefore agrees for state intervention in civil society.
Nevertheless we are not debating on which is morally superior to other. Both have their valid arguments.
To conclude,
So, remember whenever people concerned with equality in agreement for state intervention in some way accede to fact that it can compromise liberty. That means those individuals are Left leaning and are in favour of equality more than liberty. Whenever a person advocates for liberty with minimum state intervention such persons are leaning towards Right. The Right leaning individuals are in disagreement to any state intervention that are in name of equality or that which reduces liberty of others.
Goodluck !!
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