Politically conservative vs Politically liberal.
Socially conservative vs socially liberal (most often associated with the issue of race, class etc.)
Fiscally conservative vs fiscally liberal.
Ecclesiastically conservative vs ecclesiastically liberal.

You can go on and on.

Essentially it's the divide between those who consider established doctrine not just sufficient but essential to the well being of a particular group and those who are open to outside ideas (which may not always turn out to be good ones).

So how do you define left-wing?

There is no definition of left or right-wing.

You endeavoured to define right-wing, so I was wondering what yout definition of left-wing was? Surely, it can't be those things on the right-hand side of your right-wing definition?

This made me laugh.

This made me laugh.

I made no attempt to define right wing. I gave a so-rough-the-splinters-hurt explanation of a part of what some people consider is the hub of the divide. Others would disagree with every word I said. If you want greater understanding read a book. Read several books. RLFANS is not the best place to get to grips with what is an extremely complex philosophical, political, social and cultural dichotomy.

Most people who bother to understand the world beyond their front door have a broad idea of what these terms mean - but ideas are often extremely difficult to define in clear, precise language.

I mean, it's a bit like happiness. I couldn't begin to spell out precisely what happiness is - but I know it when I see it.

You personally know "most" left wingers well enough to assert this, do you? You know what they do; you know the state of their bank accounts; you know what (if any) property they own etc?

Really? Are you absolutely sure about that?

And is that in "the real world" (© Sal Paradise)?



Doesn't the Daily Mail count?

To be fair, Mr Paradise was replying to my facetious post where I stated that most right-wingers were greedy and fearful.
So, maybe he thought a goose and gander reply was fair enough.

Therefore I retract my use of the word "most" and invite Mr Paradise to do the same.

My rule of thumb for left-wing/right-wing ...

Right Wing
It's about the individual
People should stand on their own two feet
Low tax (what's mine is mine)
Smaller state to allow freedom of the individual
Civilisation is allowing people to make money
Life is inherently unfair, deal with it

Left Wing
It's about society
People should be helped when they need it
Higher tax (to pay for redistribution and looking after people)
Larger state to ensure fairness
Civilisation is ensuring that enrichment of some doesn't incur the impoverishment of others.
Tackling unfairness is a worthy aim

How's that for a starter?

I'd also add that its quite normal to hold "Right Wing" views as a younger person and yet quite acceptable for those views to change as you get older, swaying more to "the Left" as you find that you need those social supports that you objected to so much as a younger person.

Its when you get older and your once far distant destination comes more into focus that you realise that the dream of being completely self sufficient for the whole of your life was just that, a dream, for no-one can make provision for themselves to cover every eventuality in health, housing and holding a general standard of life.