Talking About Politics: LEFT WING & RIGHT WING
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2024
- You may have been following the political debates in the news these days, and maybe some of it didn't make much sense to you. Politics is often a difficult topic to talk about because people have very different ideas of what is good and bad, and many terms are misunderstood or misused. In this lesson, I will make sense of political vocabulary, so that you can start understanding the news, and have conversations that make sense. In particular, I will focus on the tems "left wing" and "right wing". You'll hear these often, and it's important that you understand where these terms come from and what they mean exactly. No matter what you believe, it's not as simple as good and evil! Beware: not everyone will agree with you, so keep an open mind and discuss your ideas politely. Politics can be fun and interesting if you keep this in mind!
Next, watch these other lessons on political vocabulary in English:
Talking about Politics in English: • Vocabulary: Talking ab...
Political Vocabulary and Expressions in English: • Political vocabulary a...
Take the quiz on this lesson here! www.engvid.com/...
TRANSCRIPT
I left my heart in San Francis-... Hi. James from engVid. I'd like to do a lesson today with you on politics. I know, you're used to grammar and vocabulary, but it's always good to expand your horizons, that means your learning abilities and look at things that you may not need today but you will need in the future, especially when you have, you know, educated conversations. In your own languages you often speak about religion, politics, sexual relations, and in this lesson what I want to teach you is a way to understand English terms, what they mean to us when we hear them and what we're trying to tell you when we're saying them. That way you can get into political conversations, and that doesn't mean, you know, who's right, who's wrong, but be able to explain where you're from, what it's like, and where we're from and maybe understand each other a little better. Are you ready? Let's go to the board.
I said I left my heart in San Francisco. There's a reason for it. Notice E says: "I'm a lefty." Quick story for you so you understand. A long time ago back in England there were two houses. There's the queen, I'm sure you probably know that England has a queen, and they let the common people vote and there would be one side where the people with title, or princes, and counts, and dukes would sit; another side where the common people would sit. I'm wondering if you can figure out which side which sat. Blah, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, I know, difficult. Let me explain. So if you were the king or queen you sat in the middle, and you'd have your nobles, that's your knights, your kings, your dukes, your princes, barons; on the other side the common people. Well, I'll let you know. This is my right side. On the right side the barons, and the kings, and the dukes would sit; on the left side would be the common people. After a while what happened was people started referring to people on politics as right and left. Why? Because on the right side, the nobles, the kings, the princes, they wanted things to stay the same. They liked what they had, they didn't want to have anything to change. Of course, the common people who are on the left side, they were the ones who had money and they were paying for things and not really seeing things change, and they were like: "Hey, if we're paying, we should get to change things." So this became known as "left wing" and "right wing" because it was in the house of politics where the king would sit, there was a left side and a right side. Today's lesson is going to explain to you what that old way of thinking has changed into in the modern day, and where we sit now. You ready? Let's go to the board.
Okay. You see this thing here? It's called a pendulum. A pendulum is basically you can have a string with a rock, and once you move it, it goes back and forward, back and forward, and swings. Politics, which is the business of people being together, "polis" meaning people. That's what it means. Politics. The people choose, and often sometimes they change in the way they look at things. Center is when the pendulum isn't moving. Center. And as you can think, it's probably a nice place to be. But there's more movement or activity when the pendulum goes up to the right or up to the left. That's when we see a lot of changes. And it's good to understand what terms are used and how they affect us.
So let's start with... Well, let's start with the left, the common people. All right? Most of you would know the extreme version if you've heard of it... Or let's go here first. When we talk about left, we talk about all for one and one for all. If you're French, it's the three musketeers. One for one and one for all.
![[ TEASER ] เงาะป่า - วงL.กฮ. | TMG RECORD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M4ObdFfcPww/mqdefault.jpg)
James, I think you are the best English teacher I've met here in TH-cam. More!
Left wing: nah
Right wing: nop
Buffalo wing: yes sir
This is the first time I’ve heard this explained without bias and without the teacher getting so angry. Thank you
Aren't communism and fascism BOTH collectivistic and anti-individual?
yes they are
I think so, yeah - the more you go to the right, the more you value the individual and remove government intervention/assistance/hinderance - the more you remove government, really. However, then we're left with mob rule, essentially, because there will inevitably be those who join forces to uphold their own desires, and will compete with opposing interests that have also joined together. Moreover, you're left with the problem that no one will want to front the resources required for public use goods - unless you're into everything from roads to police being privatized.
I'm not sure I follow - what are you saying? are you essentially agreeing that the furthest right you can be is anarchist? It's certainly the purest form of libertarian
that's fair, I agree with that as a framework. However, we also have the old school religious right that prefer traditional christian values to run the show, and are big on gun rights. Mind you, they dislike government intervention, so that's probably compatible with limited government. They can be oppressive using their own force, rather than relying on government (kind of an old school texan mindset of salute the flag and respect the bible, or else!)
they would want the schools to force students to salute the flag, for instance, which is not a libertarian position.
I'm from Brazil and you are the best teacher I ever seen...
hey ,i am from Brazil too and yes him is just amazing .Help a lot
Marcelo Teijeira Me too ,!!!
Really helpful lesson. Especially because i prefer the moderate state than the others that he mentioned on the video.
So by his thoughts on socialism.. Is Brazil a socialist country just like france? :P
No more, friend. The old government socialists was removed from the office, and now we have a new governmente that is applying neoliberal politics in Brazil.
Me too
James you are the man! You help me so much with my job teaching online.
Such a great teacher who makes the topic of politics interesting. Thanks a lot.
77 years old here. Back in JUNIOR HIGH 9th grade Civics class, maybe 1961, I had a great teacher who explained these polar opposites plainly, just like you have. I have NEVER forgotten what he taught me.I know you will make the same impression!
Youth educated and trained in Cuba,, Sir you are spot on in your examples of private and communal life. I loved to listen to your analogy. Awesome excellent dude. I still want to have government see people as a collective soul and not have barriers.
I’m so not interested in politics and are forced to vote and absolutely hated voting day. Thank you for making voting understandable. May the force be with with you. Extra points for Star Wars figures.
Proud of being RIGHT WING here in Brazil. Even mainstream media calling us all the time of "far right". Proud of being far right as well then.
I read many books and the way you explain Left Vs Right concept is way more comprehensible than all the books I read. Excellent!
This teacher is fantastic!!! We in Brazil love him!
Regular liberals: Amazing
Regular conservatives: Amazing
Far-left & alt-right: GTFO of our nation
David Nissim i dont think im far right but, some leftwingers in India in 2020 are anti-India! But my opinion is..even they GTFO of my nation, they still try to divide nation from outside, on international forums. Maybe im balanced of centre-left! But most of current leftwing leaders here are anti-India! Im fkin angry RRAAAOORRRRR
I do consider/focus common people most of the times(kinda leftwinger) but those who leading&fooling common people right now are really demons. Fake leftwing demons !!
A K yea man, i would choose blind bhakts over anti-national chamchas anytime... chamchas lead by congress. Dictator sonia Gandhi is most evil person. And chamchas call her "maa" ! "Maa tujhe salam". WTF. Chamchas are really anti-national it gets proved again n again
A K unholy nexus btwn (congress&the pseudo-secular team)
and
(Jihadi Islamic maulanas)..just for vote bank !
and they easily influence/brainwash Indian muslims & its easy to influence by using weapon of "fear". Remember how despite failing again n again, pakistan army/govt successful in gaining trust of its citizens..just showing fear & hate of India/Hindus..
Thats what jihadis are doing.
And congress is silent devil,
sonia is worst among them. For politics..they went at low levels , often against India's national interests... now they are more furious& wants instability in countrt..just for petty political benefits.
Noone notices, but its congress behind all the misery in India today. Congress before 1947 was Uniting India..and this one dividing us.
A K modi is basically Nationalist. He was clearly anti-Muslims in 2002 that i know. But in 2020...almost 6 years in power..he not stupid to realize that going against Muslims not good, we have to take everyone together...
but he is a Nationalist for sure. He not extreme Hindu as most of ppl portray him..but he uses "Hindu extremists&bhakts" just to win election..nothing more than that.
Congress's muslim appeasement all these years is the reason why BJP "Hindu" party rose in power..won 2 consecutive times..
And thats why opposition doing more furious attacks lately..see lots of instability and religious tensions...opposition wants govt fail just for petty polotical benefits. Opposition doesnt care abt India! Its just power hungry and anti-national
Dont u think BJP cant be behind Delhi riots that too while trump's India visit, bcz blame would go on them right? plus it would malign Indias image. So its obviously done by opposition, investigation already in progress and they crying for that now! Hope govt able to catch real master-mind behind all that. Then that will be the victory for India. That day! Then we can clean all the anti-national mess...
@@shubhamshinde6123 "Divide the nation from the outside?" You mean keep America separate from other countries? What's wrong with that?
This was such an amazing lesson. You're a great teacher thank you so much for sharing we need more :)
I am from India and you are teaching very well. I like your teaching method. God bless you sir!
James, I want to thank you so much for what you do on here, it seems like you work really hard and I just want to thank you because I've learned a lot because of you, I appreciate it, love from Venezuela 💘
How is socialism working in Venezuela now. Socialism failed and took Venezuela with it. What a shame. Free market capitalism is the only way to ensure prosperity of the people. Amd individuals.
Good class James, please bring us more classes like that. These are great topics!
The leftwing vs rightwing dichotomy started in France. Anti Monarchy vs Pro Monarchy 😉
Really good James! Congratulations. I appreciate that and You have shown a great and intelligent sense in politics.
Hello, teacher James!!!!! WONDERFUL CLASS!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NICE TO MEET YOU HERE!!!! CARRY ON YOUR GREAT JOB!!!! HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
I am an elder and never knew this but now I do. Thank You young fella.
I really enjoyed this program, Thanks for clearing that up. Sometimes i would get confused with it all . Thanks so much . great lesson. great Teacher lol
an amazing and interesting lesson, it's the first time to me to understand the difference between these words, great job Mr. James, thank you and as I'm always saying you are the best and please we want more videos like that.
You are a genius!! i am in fishiotherapy with my hands in a basket, but watching your amazing lesson! i learn a lot!.thanksss!!
This was very good, I finally understand this thing 🙌🏽
God Bless you, sir💥💯🔥🇹🇹
I can't thank you enough. You are gifted by God to help the world. More grace and blessings. From Nigeria
the best lesson i watched on TH-cam,your explanation is sooooo good .now i totally understand what right -wing means ,like you said right-wing represent nobles/they dont like change,they want keep tradition.your lesson remind me of downton Abbey,the granny dont want change,but servants want change,i like your videos so much
This was actually arguably the most informative and best explained politics video I have watched
Actually you can have fascism regardless of left/right. Left and right are economic, fascism and libertarianism are social, generally speaking. For example Hitler, Stalin and North Korea are various forms of communism and socialism, economically speaking, but socially speaking they're all fascist. They were largely nationalist, which is a trait you attributed to the right even though these examples are socialist/communist. Found the video interesting though thanks.
Scias not necessarily. Fascism means “authoritarian unitary nationalism,” meaning that fascists believe in a strong state which unites people of a similar nation. Although Stalinism, what most would call communism although in my opinion isn’t, is authoritarian, it is not authoritarian for the same reasons. Fascism does not just mean authoritarian.
Sorry to have to tell you, but you have no idea what your talking about Scias. Hitler was not, a socialist, or a communist, he was a totalitarian, "right wing", top down, autocrat, and the leader of a "Nazi cult" consumed with a "religious like" devotion to racial superiority, populist ruthless military control to ensure the extermination of undesirables, "(as viewed by the Nazis)" : Jews, Gypsies, disabled people, retarded people, Slavic people, black, and brown people, any group that didn't fit the Nazi /teutonic/ Nordic mold. Stalin was in reality not a true communist. He used the Communist movement, and trappings of communist devotion in Russia to make himself a demigod through fear intimidation, extortion, betrayal, imprisonment, and murder. Give yourself a few more years of learning before forming ill informed opinions. History about these issues is extremely complex, and usually misunderstood by young people. This is to important to get it wrong, for your own liberty, and the safety of civilization You've got a lot to learn.
Scias bbbby by ybbyyyb y. Yyy
Scias bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb bbbbbbbbbbbbbyb. Yay.
Left / right cannot be reduced to just a simplistic economic axis. There is also the social aspect to left/right in which the right stands for traditionalism, conservative morals, pro-authority (usually a religious authority) whereas the left stands for the opposite: progressivism, breaking with the traditions, abolishing the clergy's privileges, expanding the rights of minorities such as the LGBT community, etc.
I'm from Bermuda and lack quite a lot of knowledge regarding politics in England, America or anywhere else cause I've just lived on an island for most my life. I'm 16 now and reside in England so, it's starting to get a little embarrassing not knowing much about politics at all. Your one of the sources I'm finding useful but I'm continuing to research and learn about it. Even tho I have no interest and would much rather read about books and research on the universe and conspiracy theories. This does effect me and will like you said effect me and my generation more so in the future so I'll toughen up. Thank you this was super useful.
I always had a BASIC understanding of different parties. This really broke it down, and explained it in terms I can understand. Thanks for taking the time. Interesting. Well done.
Thank you, James. Subscribed. May the force be with you.
Now I know the concept between the left wing and right wing, thanks James! this is so helpful during the history class 💜💜💜
Umm this doesn’t make sense if right wing is being for the individual than fascism isn’t right wing because it’s focus was on the nation and not individual liberties
Exactly. There are people in this comment section praising this dude. WTF. This is more propaganda than fact. I am sick of this... He openly contradicts his on lesson and people are praising him for it. My faith in people just fell a little more.
"I left my heart in San Francisco " 😂🤣 genial
Ionut Orisicare I had a heart transplant in San Francisco. So, I really can say, I Left My Heart in San Francisco.
Kidding. Of course I didn't. I was just making it up for the purpose of this joke!
It was actually in New York.
RACISM IS RIGHT
@@janbreaux2545 what about left wing.
This was a English class !!!! I took it as an political education 👌🏻😲 thanks mate
James--not just my English teacher but also inspiration.
I might disagree in some specific points, but I prefer to say that you are the best english teatcher on TH-cam. keep posting your videos. They are very helpful.
Damn 3 years later and this is one of the best explanations Left and Right wing
I appreciate your teaching this is the first time I understand what left and right mean
You are the best. I don't matter if you are left or right, i love your lessons. I watched a few of your videos and i have already liked a lot. I am from Braziiiiilllllll.
Sir you are one of the best teacher i ever know. I'm a political science student .. and this video is so useful for me. Nd i can't believe that you are an English teacher .. cause you handle politics so well ..
Explaining these in a simplified manner is not a easy task sir ... Thank you so much
So insightful! thank you so much. Great video
of all the TH-cam video attempting to explain left and right , this is the one that is most informative
Thank you for the lesson! Loved it!
Great job on the politic lesson. I've shared it and saved it to refer to it again, and again! Thanks
Thanks man ! With all this stuff on tv i had to see what all tje fuss was about. Good job bro
I live in Sweden, and I like your English lessons.....You always choose good topic and the length of the lesson. That way you catch my attention every time and I am glad of it. I like the English language and hope I will be knowledgeable speakers in English one day ....
I could watch/listen to this guy all day long
This guy really does break down complex things into tiny digestible pieces of information
This video is really helpful, it really clarify left and right.
1: Right is usually the dominant hand, it has more power, it want more freedom. Those people don't believe social program, or they don't need it.
2: Left hand is the weaker hand most of time, it need more help, need more social programs. They need to support each other.
I know this may not politically right, or not even right, but it's easy to remember.
Thanks for explaining this in easy terms without using fancy words. Great video.
Due to the separation of left wing and right wing, they each are flying in circles.
Yeah, this is a great class, James. This also gave me an understanding of American politics, I'm australian and have a different government. Thank you for this information, all good 👍
I love you for what you taught me today. you're the best :)
Thanks so much for this video. Greetings from Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada.
I wish you had been my teacher in school. You made this subject interesting and easy to understand. Thank you!!
This video was excellent! Your way of explaining political philosophies was calm and pleasant. That's how it should be. But as a history student I have to say that the real situations in each explained system were more complicated and layerd than it is explained here.
No doubt Sir your concepts on the subject of political science is so clear and transparent. I am not a student of political science but I love this subject and ofently busy searching lectures and difficult terms of political sciences on TH-cam definately Lift and right wing which I was searching 😂🤔🤔🤔🙄 . Great Sir. Respect and regards from Pakistan 🇵🇰🌹🌼
You are a great teacher! 👏
Great job of explaining from a position of neutrality. I wish we had more people like you in today's news media.
James. I enjoyed the video. I actually googled who are considered the right wing? And you video was recommended. TY. Was excellent. Well done. I feel empowered. Knowledge is Power.
I am going to vote today in Canada and this lesson is very important to understand which party is great for our future as Canadian at large thank you for your explanation.
Wow! It's been on my to do list to really learn more about politics. This was a great lesson for me. Thank you for giving the Canada vs USA comparison. I really do not understand American Politics, eg., Republics, Democrats etc., ...
This really did hold my attention. Please do more advanced lessons.
An armistice is a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, as it may constitute only a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace.
Thanks for the great video! Very informative, and left me wanting more...
Where is 'liberalism'? I think it is interesting because it is very common politicial name in America. I mean the definition was changing. In the beginning it was connected with classical liberals and conservatism of 19th century. Nowadays you, Americans, use 'liberalism' as name for social-democratism (Clintons for exmaple) I think so. In Europe we have problem with that because people who are for liberty, free market, light cultural conservatism like to call themselves 'liberals'. Sometimes they have to use word 'libertarians' to show difference between liberalism = social-democratism and their liberalism. It may be little complicated because of my poor English but it is point of view of most European libertarians and mine ;)
liberalism was initially (19th century) about liberties like free market, free speech etc, but then commies usurped this word for their purely commie things like free education and free healthcare (not free really but very expensive as public services are inefficient).
The Clintons are not social-democrats. Like, no way.
Joan Marco
their party is progressive/liberal, whats just another wording for 'social-democratic'.
+Mike Tsayper If they're socialdemocratic then the European socialdemocratic parties are communists
their party has a lot of conservatives so you are not mentioning them
Hillary versus Bernie was conservative versus progressive
I loved this lesson, please do more!
Instant subscription! Great tune to intro with and as soon as you mentioned your usual videos being on grammar and vocabulary I will have to check those out as I'm rusty on the fine details from Grammar school...
I'm writing a sci-fi book, that is quite political, so this is very good to sharpen the mind as my novel style is quite Lovecraftian but has a modern, satirical vibe like a comedy such as the Simpsons! I've also descibed it as Mad Max 2 in space. So I'm absorbing the knowledge, so thank you, James.
I've always proposed a Swiss-style direct democracy with a House of Lords or something to quetion the public vote. But there are so many cross Left/Right details to describe and living in UK a good social safety net is key also.
Thanks a lot jame, u explained easily , wonderful
Thank you for the lesson. I have to tell you that you have helped me so much with this lesson.
I love your videos ! Please do much more of these kind of videos . Like you said we need to learn to get up and go . I know that you have much more to offer us .
Thanks ! Keep it up !
OMG, Jame's teaching is so interesting. I like it~~~~~~~~~
Now, more than ever, with all the information at the reach of our fingers, we must inform ourselves and help others be informed about politics. I am from El Salvador where the old system of mass distraction used by the Romans is subtly present with reality shows and European football (I am not against practicing football I need to clarify). It is sad that most people do not want to talk about politics. I am not a historian nor a great reader, but there's tons of ways (podcasts, TH-cam videos, independent news websites, books, short stories, talk shows, etc.) to get different points of view and, then, reach a conclusion.
This was one of the best informational videos that I’ve ever seen. Great job!
Thanks for the generql information about tge origin of tge Right and Left synonymous
Thanks for saying that we should also learn to broaden our horizon rather than just the language itself
Wow thanks
U have made it easy for me...boom am ready for the exam
Love you from India 💕💕
Anyone here from india else 🤔🤔
Iam from Somalia,my name is khadar you are the best teacher I have ever seen thank you for you help dear teacher
this was so so so helpful! thank you so much
Very good, you look at this and explain it without any bias, you made everything look kinda good
Very clear. Thank you James.
The Canadian political concept's it's a little bit diferent of those i learned at school, so that video actually was useful. Thank you.
I dnt regret of following bro..and super happy of u been an African❤❤
''USSR,we now call It Russia'' - yeah,right...
the lessons are for amerifats
@@ComradeHellas lol
@@ComradeHellas ε ρε ελλαδα παντου ειμαστε
Thanks sir, can you make video on:-is to be,are to be,was to be,were to be,have to be and had to be
Wow! Loved the Jaba and Sidious metaphors. "Fascists, are not all evil. Ok?", "I don't want State run bakeries." Lol You sir, are an honest man. Great video!
Very useful and easy to understand account , a wonderful presentation
Not Britain, but France. It began with pro- vs anti-royalist divide.
It went on to become a popular vs aristocratic & theocratic - also a democratic & libertine (liberal at the time) vs authoritarian & conservative ideological rift.
What you described as socialism, i would call it social Democracy, because social-democracy is still under a market system, while socialism would have no room for profit incentive, therefore markets wouldn't exist
Missing your classes a lot!! You're one of the best Hansa's teacher!
XoXo, Beatriz from Brazil
very clear. Thank you teacher.
Very useful lesson, James. Watched it with my students. Thanks!
Nice work James, Thanks!
Great Video. I Usually don't comment from this account, but you really are a great teacher :D
Fun Fact: There is also the vertical axis on the political compass - Left/Right - Authoritarian/Libertarian. You will find similarities in ideals between say the far-left Syndicalists and the far-right Libertarians and equally between aspects of communism (not Marxism) and fascism. Vietnam is an example of a non-authoritarian communist government, where people openly criticise their leaders, mostly as useless because reforms are not happening fast enough. Kids should be taught this stuff at school and maybe we can avoid the divisions we currently have in the future.
I heard the Health Care in Canada is slow, which can be dangerous for patients in some cases, longer waits, and poorer doctors. The same as England. America Health Care is horrible! The cost is to expensive but better care in away. If housing is high, food is high, water bill is high, transportation high, taxes, and health care high something is going to have to give.
James, you have great presentation skills, but some of the points you make caused me concern. A common mistake made by most people is to try to over simplify "Ideology" and fit all of the different ideologies into a "Left/Moderate/Right" model.
* Although the origin of "Right/Left Wing" comes from the French revolution and dealt with the Liberal revolutionist verses those who supported hierarchy, tradition, and clericalism - That origin does NOT apply to today's American "Left Wing" & "Right Wing" ideologies.
* Staying focused on our American situation, Left-Wing core truth is based upon EQUALITY, or "Equal Outcome". Right-Wing Core Truth is based upon the NATURAL RIGHTS OF MAN, or PERSONAL LIBERTY, or the RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL. I liked what you were saying in general about those concepts in your presentation.
* You got really off track and contradicted yourself when you had just got done explaining Individualism and Capitalism & then stated that Fascism was at the extreme right. Fascism is a form of socialism that does not fit into American Right Wing (Individualist) or American Left Wing (global equality) ideology. Fascism is a method of socialism which is focused on - "Nation" First & "Individual" Last - where the purpose of people and resources (even the economy), is to promote and strengthen the Nation. This is opposed to the "...make America Great..." theme which is about maintaining an environment where the individual can pursue their dreams through hard work and determination.
I hope you consider remaking this video so that it will be more accurate in the message it is portraying.
I think the left/right assumptions by (US) americans is the wrongest form, therefore should be rather criticized than
taken as a reference.
I think I understand what you are saying and I agree. We should be looking at the matter at hand as opposed to trying to over simplify the world by trying to make it fit into the square hole we want it too.
Adding more to my above statement, the "Alt-Right" of the Right Wing is Libertarianism. They believe in "Equal Freedom for Everyone" to be able to do whatever they want as individuals without any government oversight. This ideology is a far cry from the Supremacist group Ideology that the left tries to pin as "Alt-Right".
@@Laten.Tutela The alt-right are not libertarian. While they claim they want individual freedoms and the like, they are willing to support government intervention into social issues that directly oppose the freedom of individuals. In reality those tend to want freedom for themselves and themselves only, making them hierarchical and hateful towards groups they don't tolerate. That is a far cry from libertarian.
@@sambradley9091 Sam, based upon the wording in your reply, you sound like a Liberty person. That means we are probably like-minded. Please carefully consider the following.
Because of our busy lives, it is natural to try to simplify complex issues. But with the extreme polarity of today's politics, I realized I needed to find out what was happening and why. In the context of our nation in modern times, there are two opposing Ideologies which are at the foundation of the Left and the Right. In addition to these two, there are multiple additional ideologies in orbit around these two. But looking at the core, we have "Progressivism" on the Left. On the Right we have "Individualism" (this has many names, Conservativism, Libertarian, Classic Liberal, Constitutionalism, etc.) .
Looking closer at Individualism. This is a belief that we are all Rational & Reasoning beings who are capable of making the decisions needed to not only run our own lives, but also how to best pursue our personal goals that lead to Happiness (ie. things are happening my way). In this ideology, a person has Natural Rights, based upon being a Rational & Reasoning being, that cannot be taken from them. When we decide to enter into, or remain in, a society, we consent to giving up some of our Liberty in exchange for the benefits of being a member of a society. The purpose of Government is to protect Life, Liberty, Property - Not to tread on our ability to make decisions about what we need to do or dictate how we should be thinking.
Looking closer at Progressivism. This is a "Collective" ideology. This is a belief that mankind has progressed to the point where an informed and intellectual elite are better able and more skilled at running society than the members of society. Rights and privileges are given to the members of society, by society. And those same rights and privileges can be taken away. All determined by the "Intellectuals" who are running society. In order for society to operate smoothly and efficiently, the Intellectuals communicate what the members of society should be doing, thinking, saying.
To directly address your claim in the above reply about the Right being Totalitarian in nature, we need to look at the other ideologies in orbit around the two core ideologies. On the Left, the Intellectuals are using "Identity Politics" as a tool to gain power. This methodology categorizes society into "People Groups" and all these people groups are sorted for which groups can be convinced they are "victims" of other people groups. All of the other "non-victim" people groups then become the "oppressors". When that happens, the "oppressor" people groups know that they need to stay away from the Left and find that Individualism on the Right will tolerate them as long as they don't try to force their ideology onto the Individualist. "What you do is your business as long as you don't make it my business" is the motto of the Individual.
After this shifting around of people groups, the Left now can point to their "enemy" people groups as being representative of the Right and what the Right stands for and then self justify to themselves and their followers why they need to stay with and support the Left. This accusation is far from the truth, because the Individualist (belief in personal liberty), are ok with everyone having their own opinions (even that "Collective" nonsense) as long as everyone doesn't try to force their ideas onto others.
Sam, please reply with the answer to this question. Are you a rational, reasoning, free thinking being capable of making your own decisions? Or are you a person that needs the guidance and direction of those who are more informed, and better qualified, to determine what is best for you, your family, and your friends?
Laten Tutela I see, trying to manipulate history to make the right wing seem fine and no tragedies happened at far right at rule.