Brenton
Left Wing Values
March 29th 2009 13:00
Call them liberals, Left wing or progressive. No matter what you want to call them, there is an understanding that there are two relatively distinct groups in our society; the Left and the Right.
Obviously if we are to lump these mobs into two groups there are very specific and visible differences between them. This article seeks to clarify, not specific views on controversial issues, but general ideological views that seem to define what is today recognised as the ‘left wing’.
Libertarianism.
Most left wing values seem to connect to some concept of individuals having the right to self determination. This concept pushes the value of liberty above almost all else. The right to self expression, opposition to censorship (recently in Australia seen in the context of Henson's Art) This also goes some way to explaining Left wing associations with Anarchy (which is essentially, radical self determination).
This also goes some way to explaining the position found in left wing politics of legalising or decriminalising marijuana, or, with some more extreme groups, other drugs.
Equality.
Left Wing politics traditionally hold the view that all people are of equal value, and ought be treated as such. This may explain the association of Left Wing or Liberal politics with political movements such as Communism and Socialism. This also goes someway to explaining the almost ‘Robin Hood’ view of economics popular in Left Wing circles, taking from the rich to feed the poor. This also ties in to the connection between the left, and unionism.
This also ties in heavily to the Left Wings rejection, and sometimes ridicule of class (and thus the affinity with Punk in youth culture).
It is on the platform of equality that the Left wing holds the most
Identity Politics.
Generally in Left wing politics, there is the concept that people should be treated for who they are as individuals. This ties in to the Left wings association of fighting various ~isms such as racism and sexism, as well as it’s adoption of homosexual rights issues, including those based on sex change.
Utopia?
Left Wing politics have been accused of sacrificing reality for a Utopian World vision; indeed such forms of Government as Communism have been repeatedly described as ‘good on paper’. The idea of the Left wing as Utopian is not so much a term used by the Left itself as a generally pejorative term.
That left wing politics tend to gravitate towards the development of an ‘ideal world’, is arguable, but holds some validity, mostly in the rhetoric (New World, New age dawning, etc).
A fairly typical example of Left Wing Propoganda
Tolerance
Tying in with the concept of Identity politics, is the idea of tolerance; that one doesn’t have to agree with what another does in its entirety, but should tolerate others way of being so long as it doesn’t affect them. This also explains the connection of the left to the often positive politics of drugs, and permitting drug use.
Non Oppression (or fighting oppression)
The left have traditionally seen themselves as the enemies of oppression, and while they object powerfully to the Right’s perceived use of democracy as a rhetorical device, they often see themselves as a resistant force against the crumbling of democracy. The opposition towards Capitalism often comes from a profound moral disgust at perceived oppressive practices (such as the buying out and destruction of smaller businesses and the use of cheap maltreated labour).
Peace and non-violence
Though differing amidst different groups (some more extreme left wing group have advocated violent overthrow or resistance), the list wing tend to be associated with peace and non violence, and are the traditional opponents of War, in the opinion that there are more efficient methods of resolution than direct conflict.
Environment
The Left wing are also traditionally associated with looking after the environment, and have taken the charge on issues such as climate change, CFCs, conservation and deforestation. ‘Ownership’ of Green issues may also be associated with the Right, however the present popular view in Western society seems strongly in favour of Environmental issues being Left Wing.
Conspiracy
While not part of the official ‘values’ system, the left wing seems to be widely open for entertaining notions of Conspiracy, such as the killing of JFK, or the various 9/11 Conspiracies. This is likely built on the already seemingly justified suspicion of traditional opponents of the left, such as corporations or individuals, to be capable of vast conspiracies, such as Watergate or the Ford Pinto Memo. However, it is worth noting that the left wing is not alone from the right wing in this regard, just that the left pick common enemies such as the Government and Capitalism, whereas right wing conspiracy has other focuses (such as science, in various Global Warming conspiracies). I have simply included this section to indicate towards the natural scepticism of authority, and it’s occasional mutations.
Naturally, as Left and Right Wing as concepts are man made, constantly evolving, and have different interpretations based on bias, country and culture, no list will ever be completely accurate, however I think this is reasonable start.
DAMO SAYS:
Sorry Brenton but I think that you completely missed the bus here.
In my view you got the equation backwards and presented another set of false dichotomies.
The only distinguishing feature between left and right is Individualism verses Collectivism.
Extreme Socialism verses Extreme Individualism.
Left wing group may adopt some of the items you have listed above but so too can right wing groups. Each try to present themselves as holding the noble qualities that somehow are better than their opponent.
It is false logic to argue that someone is left wing because they fight oppression. What about left wing oppression?
Obviously if we are to lump these mobs into two groups there are very specific and visible differences between them. This article seeks to clarify, not specific views on controversial issues, but general ideological views that seem to define what is today recognised as the ‘left wing’.
Libertarianism.
Most left wing values seem to connect to some concept of individuals having the right to self determination. This concept pushes the value of liberty above almost all else. The right to self expression, opposition to censorship (recently in Australia seen in the context of Henson's Art) This also goes some way to explaining Left wing associations with Anarchy (which is essentially, radical self determination).
Equality.
Left Wing politics traditionally hold the view that all people are of equal value, and ought be treated as such. This may explain the association of Left Wing or Liberal politics with political movements such as Communism and Socialism. This also goes someway to explaining the almost ‘Robin Hood’ view of economics popular in Left Wing circles, taking from the rich to feed the poor. This also ties in to the connection between the left, and unionism.
This also ties in heavily to the Left Wings rejection, and sometimes ridicule of class (and thus the affinity with Punk in youth culture).
It is on the platform of equality that the Left wing holds the most
Identity Politics.
Generally in Left wing politics, there is the concept that people should be treated for who they are as individuals. This ties in to the Left wings association of fighting various ~isms such as racism and sexism, as well as it’s adoption of homosexual rights issues, including those based on sex change.
Utopia?
Left Wing politics have been accused of sacrificing reality for a Utopian World vision; indeed such forms of Government as Communism have been repeatedly described as ‘good on paper’. The idea of the Left wing as Utopian is not so much a term used by the Left itself as a generally pejorative term.
That left wing politics tend to gravitate towards the development of an ‘ideal world’, is arguable, but holds some validity, mostly in the rhetoric (New World, New age dawning, etc).
A fairly typical example of Left Wing Propoganda
Tolerance
Tying in with the concept of Identity politics, is the idea of tolerance; that one doesn’t have to agree with what another does in its entirety, but should tolerate others way of being so long as it doesn’t affect them. This also explains the connection of the left to the often positive politics of drugs, and permitting drug use.
Non Oppression (or fighting oppression)
The left have traditionally seen themselves as the enemies of oppression, and while they object powerfully to the Right’s perceived use of democracy as a rhetorical device, they often see themselves as a resistant force against the crumbling of democracy. The opposition towards Capitalism often comes from a profound moral disgust at perceived oppressive practices (such as the buying out and destruction of smaller businesses and the use of cheap maltreated labour).
Peace and non-violence
Though differing amidst different groups (some more extreme left wing group have advocated violent overthrow or resistance), the list wing tend to be associated with peace and non violence, and are the traditional opponents of War, in the opinion that there are more efficient methods of resolution than direct conflict.
Environment
The Left wing are also traditionally associated with looking after the environment, and have taken the charge on issues such as climate change, CFCs, conservation and deforestation. ‘Ownership’ of Green issues may also be associated with the Right, however the present popular view in Western society seems strongly in favour of Environmental issues being Left Wing.
Conspiracy
While not part of the official ‘values’ system, the left wing seems to be widely open for entertaining notions of Conspiracy, such as the killing of JFK, or the various 9/11 Conspiracies. This is likely built on the already seemingly justified suspicion of traditional opponents of the left, such as corporations or individuals, to be capable of vast conspiracies, such as Watergate or the Ford Pinto Memo. However, it is worth noting that the left wing is not alone from the right wing in this regard, just that the left pick common enemies such as the Government and Capitalism, whereas right wing conspiracy has other focuses (such as science, in various Global Warming conspiracies). I have simply included this section to indicate towards the natural scepticism of authority, and it’s occasional mutations.
Naturally, as Left and Right Wing as concepts are man made, constantly evolving, and have different interpretations based on bias, country and culture, no list will ever be completely accurate, however I think this is reasonable start.
DAMO SAYS:
Sorry Brenton but I think that you completely missed the bus here.
In my view you got the equation backwards and presented another set of false dichotomies.
The only distinguishing feature between left and right is Individualism verses Collectivism.
Extreme Socialism verses Extreme Individualism.
Left wing group may adopt some of the items you have listed above but so too can right wing groups. Each try to present themselves as holding the noble qualities that somehow are better than their opponent.
It is false logic to argue that someone is left wing because they fight oppression. What about left wing oppression?
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