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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe origins of the terms "right" and "left" in politcs. Where did the ideas come from?
Last edited Thu Apr 30, 2015, 09:27 AM - Edit history (1)
The idea of a political "left" and "right" originated during the French Revolution. (1789) Simply put, those in favor of change and getting rid of the king and his structure, sat on the left side of the assembly..The stronger you were with the king's way of doing things ,and keeping things exactly the same, the more "right" you were.
.. Also, those who were in favor of changes toward democracy allowing others to rule, (like had occurred within the new United States in 1776) and having an open government, also sat on the left side of the assembly. The more in favor of change, the more left you were. That is the origin of the political terms, "left" and "right"
I am proud to be a "leftist" in favor of "open" government and inclusion in the process of the most people possible.
The more people that vote, the better. The more we know about the government, the better. No secret deals. Everyone gets treated as fair as possible.
Those in the government do not get any kind special treatment. All people in the country get..."fair and equal treatment" The leaders friends get the same treatment as the poorest people in the country...
Response to Stuart G (Original post)
Adrahil This message was self-deleted by its author.
brush
(53,924 posts)"those in favor of change and getting rid of the king and his structure, sat on the right side of the assembly."
Shouldn't that read "sat on the left side of the assembly", according to your premise?
Recursion
(56,582 posts)So it's his "left".
deutsey
(20,166 posts)Simply put, those in favor of change and getting rid of the king and his structure, sat on the right side of the assembly..The stronger you were with the king's way of doing things, the more "right" you were. Conversely, those who were in favor of changes toward democracy allowing others to rule, and had occurred within the new United States in 1776) and having an open government, sat on the left side of the assembly. The more in favor of change, the more left you were. That is the origin of the political terms, "left" and "right"
It might be that it's early in the morning and I'm just not fully awake yet, but the OP seems to be inadvertently saying the same thing about the "left" and "right": that they favored change, getting rid of the monarchy, and moving toward wider democracy.
Stuart G
(38,453 posts)A couple of years ago, I stopped using the word right. Instead, I use correct as you pointed out in your post.
I hate the word right for what they stand for. Correct is a better word for me, and that is the way I feel. Thank you!
I am not the only one.
deutsey
(20,166 posts)And thanks for bringing up the origins of "left" and "right". I think people throw those words around too easily and don't know what they actually mean.
Stuart G
(38,453 posts)I am glad I am not alone..
Response to brush (Reply #2)
Stuart G This message was self-deleted by its author.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)The divide between "right" and "left" is about whether you think government should be aligned with society's "winners" or society's "losers".
Separate from that, the divide between "conservative" and "progressive" is about whether you think change should be met by adapting existing institutions or creating new ones.
By that taxonomy I'm a conservative leftist.