Left and Right: Political Concepts

Question 1

What is the criteria for being Left/Right wing?

Answer 1

• Attitudes towards change: can be progressive/reactionary so must be clarified
• State’s involvement in the economy: both left/right have favoured more/less state intervention at times. Why are they proposing this.
• Degree of radicalism: periods can be radical/conservative, political movements adapt to these periods, making this an unreliable guide

Question 2

What makes an Ideology Left wing?

Answer 2

• Belief in equality (political, social, economic). With greater equality comes more freedom at the collective level.
• Positive/optimistic view of human nature. People can better themselves and create a more equal society, be altruistic, support the wider community, etc. Humans are rational, social and cooperative.
• Belief in a universal distribution of wealth /benefits. Everyone access to healthcare, education, pensions, housing etc. Achieved through welfare state/progressive taxation. Creates greater equality
• Often favours collectivism – working together cooperatively. Favours state intervention to improve society. To create a fairer and equal society.

Question 3

What makes an ideology Right wing?

Answer 3

• Dislike equality. Humans are naturally hierarchical. Some are more talented/able than others. Hierarchical Authority important in maintaining social control
• Negative view of human nature: selfish, greedy, insecure, ignorant and irrational. Need higher authority to maintain discipline and order in society. Equality not possible.
• Oppose welfarism and state intervention. Self-responsibility, put own interests before those of the wider community. If support welfare it is to protect traditional groups /practices they favour, not for equality.
• Place security/national interest before equal rights/freedoms. In democracies, individualist and anti-collectivist, though exceptions to this, especially nationalist movements.

Question 4

In what ways are the concepts of the ‘left and right’ declining in importance?

Answer 4

• Highly important policy issues don’t work on a left-right axis – EU membership, Brexit, constitutional issues, climate change, Scottish independence etc. Voters take ‘a pick and mix’ approach, holding left and right views. Left/right associated with class-based voting - declined since the 1960s. Parties follow what’s popular - not always follow ideology.
• Conservative Party: economic approach, associated with left – ‘levelling up’ agenda. Gay marriage under Cameron. New Labour - free market capitalism, extended private sector, Blair increased social inequality /tough law + order position – atypical. Lib Dems moved across spectrum . Established parties draw support from spectrum to win elections, no longer straightforward left-right politics.
• Consensus politics (1990s, 2000s) saw established parties with similar policies, outlook, tactics and ideology – centrist approach

Question 5

In what ways are the concepts of the ‘left and right’ still important?

Answer 5

• Issues that divide left/right still relevant. Rise in social inequality (last 40 years) - left and right even more important. Argue over issues e.g human nature, welfare state, redistribution of wealth, public/private sectors, collectivism/individualism, equal rights for disadvantaged social groups.
• Party system remains divided on a left-right basis. Labour (left) and Conservatives (right) as dominant party forces. Smaller parties – SNP, Plaid Cymru, Greens, Brexit etc. - easily placed on left-right axis. Most voters identify with left/right and vote accordingly. Largely same across democratic world.