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 [idefinition[/i 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?

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/05/daily-mail-calls-rightwingers-stupidThis made me laugh.[/url

I made no attempt to [idefine[/i right wing. I gave a so-rough-the-splinters-hurt explanation of a part of what [isome[/i 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 "[umost[/u" 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 [iDaily Mail[/i 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.

I think the essence is pretty simple - it is a about control,



The people on the left want to have a bigger say in/dictate how society is run through taxation/spending. People on the right want the power moved away from the centre to the individual with the spending power redistributing accordingly, thereby giving greater giving decision making opportunities to those who generate the wealth.



This is very broad brush but not far from the reality.

So in essence, those on the left want society to work for the benefit of all. Those on the right want society to work for the benefit of themselves.