Far-left


 
 

The term far left refers to the relative position a person or group occupies within the political spectrum. In general, it is used to describe persons or groups who hold radical egalitarian views and who seek to achieve radical social and political change by taking over or overthrowing the existing order in society. Depending on a group's militancy and the given political circumstances, revolutionary change may be achieved through democratic or undemocratic, violent or nonviolent means.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Groups that advocate some form of revolution, but without being egalitarian, are generally not part of the far left.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since, by definition, most people are not far from the center, the terms far-left and far-right are normally used to illustrate that someone is an extremist, not in tune with the majority. Far-left is thus sometimes a pejorative term.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the majority of present-day countries, the far-left is more based on how strongly one rejects tradition and capitalism. In many nations it is defined as "to the Left of mainstream Communist parties" as communist parties are acceptable in several nations. Hence it includes Maoism, Anti-Revisionists, Anarcho-communism, Anarcho-syndicalism, and others strongly opposed to capitalist governments and institutions. Not all Anarchism is left in any sense, but most schools of anarchism would be considered far-left. "Far-Left" can also describe groups who support an intense "cultural revolution" on anti-traditional lines, like possibly The Weather Underground did. Sometimes the term "far left" is used pejoratively by those on the right wing to describe any view they perceive as hostile to capitalism.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, the term "far-left" must also be understood as relative to either the speaker or the context in which they are speaking. Two hundred years ago, for example, anyone who supported secularism and universal suffrage would be seen as a far-left extremist. Likewise, as mentioned, parties that'd be deemed "far-left" in one nation might be mainstream in another.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


 

Political spectrum: A political spectrum is a way of comparing or visualizing different political positions, by placing them upon one or more geometric axes....

Egalitarian: REDIRECT Egalitarianism...

Radical: Radical is derived from the Latin word radix, which means "root". In various fields of endeavor, it can mean:...


Far-left related Images and Photos (experimental)

The Lawless Woman  Far Left: Vera Reynolds  1931
The Lawless Woman Far Left: Vera Reynolds 1931
Can This Be Dixie?  Far Left: Slim Summerville  1936
Can This Be Dixie? Far Left: Slim Summerville 1936
In Old Caliente  Inset: Roy Rogers  Far Left: Roy Rogers  Second from Left: Mary Hart  1939
In Old Caliente Inset: Roy Rogers Far Left: Roy Rogers Second from Left: Mary Hart 1939
Far Away
Far Away
Far North
Far North
My Left Foot
My Left Foot
Far Away Land I
Far Away Land I
Left in Charge
Left in Charge
Left 4 Dead Plush
Left 4 Dead Plush
Left 4 Dead Plush
Left 4 Dead Plush
Left of the Dial (DVD)
Left of the Dial (DVD)
Far Out Daisy
Far Out Daisy

~ Table of Content ~

Introduction
Current organizations or parties sometimes referred to as Far Left
See also
 
FR: Extrême gauche


 

~ Related Subjects ~

Anarcho-syndicalism (1) - Anarchism (1) - Anarcho-communism (1) - Maoism (1) - Anti-Revisionist (1) - The Weather Underground (1) - Geometric (1) - Axes (1) - Political (1) - Secularism (1) - Universal suffrage (1) - Capitalism (1) - Militancy (1) - Revolutionary (1) - Radical (1) -
 

~ Community ~

History Forum
Come and discuss about History, Civilizations, Historical Events and Figures
History Web-Ring
A community of sites, blogs and forums dedicated to History. Do not hesitate to submit your site.