Left-wing and Right-wing Politics
Where did those terms come from and how do they apply today?
Photo Credit: La Brújula Verde
Issue #367 Friday FunDay July 21, 2023
We hear all the time about "left-wing" and "right-wing" politics, but how did those terms come about? Here's a Friday Fun Fact:
The terms “left” and “right” in politics actually come from the seating arrangements in the French National Assembly of 1789. The revolutionaries, who were more liberal, sat on the left side of the room, while the noblemen, who were more conservative, sat on the right. This is how the terms “left-wing” and “right-wing” originated.
In America, left-wing ideologies are typically associated with progressive or liberal views, advocating social equality and the empowerment of individuals. This side of the political spectrum has historically been associated with movements such as labor rights, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmentalism.
Key figures include Theodore Roosevelt and his Progressive Party and his cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt, who introduced the New Deal during the Great Depression. Also Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, President Lyndon Johnson and his Great Society initiatives, and more recently figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represent more democratic socialist viewpoints.
On the other hand, right-wing ideologies in the US are often associated with conservatism, emphasizing tradition, limited government, laissez-faire economics, and individual liberty.
Notable figures range from Ronald Reagan, who championed free-market policies and a strong national defense, to modern-day figures like Donald Trump, who has stirred white nationalist sentiments.
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Here's a brief timeline of left-wing and right-wing politics in American history:
Late 18th Century: The Federalist Party, arguably America's first right-wing party, is established. It was based on the "Federalist Papers", written between 1787 and 1788 by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay during and after the ratification of the Constitution.
1930s: The New Deal era, a series of public works projects and financial reforms, marks a significant shift leftward.
The 1960s: The Civil Rights Movement propels issues of racial equality to the forefront of left-wing politics.
The 1980s: The Reagan era sees a swing back to the right, with an emphasis on deregulation and tax cuts.
2008: The election of Barack Obama, the country's first Black president, highlights progress in left-wing social issues.
2010: The Tea Party movement emerges in response to perceived fiscal irresponsibility, marking a resurgence in right-wing activism.
2011: The Occupy Wall Street movement begins, addressing economic inequality and sparking a new wave of left-wing activism.
2016 - Present: The election and presidency of Donald Trump intensifies political polarization in America.
Throughout American history, there has been a constant push and pull between progressive and conservative issues.
Today, it seems the US political landscape has become increasingly polarized. Events like the 2020 Presidential Election and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted stark differences in left and right-wing ideologies.
While it is a fun exercise to learn the history of our left-wing and right-wing politics, understanding our political past is crucial in shaping our political future.
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