Have you been casting your vote without a clear understanding of where you stand on the political spectrum? Do you find resonance with right-wing ideologies, or do you align more closely with the left?
Consider what influences your choices in each election—Is it merely following the opinions of those around you, or do you make independent, informed decisions?
Even if you prefer to distance yourself from the realm of politics, its influence pervades every aspect of our lives. The values you hold dear, the causes you advocate for, and the rights you enjoy are all intertwined with the political universe.
The basic freedoms that allow you to carry out routine tasks, the rights you cherish, and even the financial gains or losses you experience are directly shaped by various policies. In essence, the political world governs ours, and the choices we make in voting reflect how we desire to be governed.
While not everyone actively engages with politics, everyone forms opinions and develops a position on the political spectrum. The ideologies of right-wing and left-wing are not abstract concepts but influence the principles that guide our lives. When we vote for a candidate, our position on this spectrum plays a pivotal role in determining our preferred governance style.
Reflecting on my own experience, I realized I had cast my vote for five years without a clear understanding of whether the ideas I supported were represented by the political party I voted for.
This article aims to emphasize the importance of an informed electorate, encouraging readers to explore political ideologies before casting their votes. By doing so, citizens empower themselves to make choices aligned with their values, contributing to the strength of the democratic process and actively participating in the positive change their decisions have the potential to bring about
What is a Political Spectrum?
By political spectrum, we define a landscape full of political beliefs, ranging from the conservative to the progressive. Positioned along this continuum are ideologies that dictate how societies should be governed. It helps us in addressing fundamental questions about the role of government, economic policies, and social values.
Understanding the political spectrum is crucial in contemporary times as it empowers individuals to navigate and comprehend the diverse range of political beliefs, facilitating informed decision-making in a complex and interconnected global society.
The Origin and Dichotomy Between Right-Wing and Left-Wing Ideologies
At the heart of the spectrum lie two distinctive ideologies– right-wing and left-wing. These labels are not merely political affiliations; they encapsulate profound differences in perspectives on not just governance but also how we perceive the economy and societal structures.
The birth of the two terms dates back to the time during the era of the French revolution (1789-1799). At the time, the term left and right referred to the seating arrangement in the legislative bodies of France. From the vantage point of the Speaker’s seat at the forefront of the Assembly, the historical seating arrangement emerged – the aristocracy positioned on the right while the commoners occupied the left.
This spatial divide gave rise to the terms right-wing politics and left-wing politics.
Over time, political ideologies have evolved, and individuals may not strictly adhere to a fixed position on the spectrum. Instead of a rigid dichotomy, contemporary political thought often recognizes a continuum where ideologies can be fluid and dynamic, accommodating a range of perspectives.
Let us explore the pivotal ideologies that significantly contribute to our comprehension and awareness.
1. Right-Wing Ideologies
Let us understand this ideology by answering a few questions.
Do you think that there should be greater social acceptance of people from the LGBTQIA+ community in your country?
If your answer is ‘Yes’ then you might be as accepting and liberal as most of the modern youth of the present generation, but this thought is not ‘generally’ associated with a Right-wing ideology. I say ‘generally’ because there can be a diversity of opinions within the right wing, acknowledging that not all right-wing individuals hold the same views.
However, when it comes to putting this cause in one category, the rights and demands of the LGBTIQA+ communities do not hold any major support on the right wing of the spectrum.
Do you think that religion should be kept separate from government policies?
Going back to the origin we know that it was the right wing which was always leaning towards religion. Right-wing politics upholds the importance of religion and consists mostly of people who are strongly in support of their religion. While being religious does not mean that one is averse to other religions, when there is the matter of choosing one over the other, the rightist is mostly known for holding on to, promoting and celebrating their religion.
So, if you think religion should be kept separate from the policies, you are not at the Right.
Do you want your country to become a military superpower?
The military is significant for any country. It safeguards the country’s borders, citizens, and interests, ensuring national security and preserving the nation’s sovereignty. Additionally, the military plays an instrumental role in providing support during emergencies, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises, contributing to overall stability and peace.
If your answer to the question asked is ‘Yes’, it might mean that you are more right-leaning. However, the desire for military strength is not exclusive to right-wing ideologies, as individuals from various political spectrums may support a strong military for different reasons. But it is the obsession over becoming a ‘superpower’ which puts this desire under the right wing of the spectrum.
The reason why the desire to see one’s country becoming a military superpower is categorised under a right-wing ideology is because of the obsession of many citizens to see their country as a superpower. This desire can be a result of hyper-nationalism which comes with such an excessive devotion or loyalty to their nation that it can lead to It can contribute to xenophobia, intolerance, and an unwillingness to engage in diplomatic or cooperative efforts with other nations.
This extreme patriotism can lead to a strong belief in the superiority of one’s nation, a disdain for other countries, and a tendency to perceive any criticism or dissent as unpatriotic.
The Themes of Right-Wing Ideology
Taking a cue from the above examples, we know that Right-Wing politics holds a more conservative approach to governing people. Their ideologies can be traditional, and they might be less prone to open up to new and unconventional ideas coming up in society.
Right-wing leaders mostly support free market capitalism and do not believe in regulating the market, display a stricter and stronger stance on law and order; put limitations on Individual liberty, and show religious and cultural inclination. They also advocate for lower taxes, particularly for businesses, with the belief that this promotes economic growth and job creation.
However, it’s important to note that right-wing ideologies can encompass a spectrum of beliefs, and not all individuals or political groups subscribing to right-wing views will support all of these policies or ideas. Additionally, political contexts and interpretations can vary across different regions and countries.
But a general classification of ideologies, helps us navigate through the themes associated with these ideologies and makes us aware of where we stand on the political spectrum. We must engage in critical thinking when exploring political beliefs to understand the nuanced nature of ideologies.
We will revisit the same examples later to understand the other ideologies.
2. Left-Wing Ideologies
If we revisit the same questions mentioned before and answer them from the general classification of a Left-wing ideology, the answer will be as follows:
The left-wing Ideology will advocate for greater social acceptance of people from the LGBTQIA+ community.
It will strive to keep religion should be kept separate from government policies.
It will work towards building a strong military but not obsess over making it the most superior.
However, just like in the case of Right-Wing ideologies, it’s crucial to recognize that left-wing ideologies also encompass a spectrum of beliefs, and individuals within this political category may not uniformly support all these policies.
The Themes of Left-Wing Ideology
Left-wing ideology adopts a more progressive and inclusive approach to governance.
Embracing a willingness to entertain new and unconventional ideas, left-wing leaders often advocate for social justice, equality, and environmental sustainability.
They may support regulations on the market to address income inequality, prioritize individual liberties, and champion causes such as LGBTQIA+ rights and multiculturalism.
Left-wing politics tends to endorse government intervention to ensure a safety net for citizens, with a focus on healthcare, education, and workers’ rights. Additionally, left-wing leaders may favour higher taxes, especially for corporations and the wealthy, viewing it as a means to fund social programs and bridge socioeconomic gaps.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that individuals within this political category may not uniformly support all these policies. Political contexts and interpretations can also vary across different regions and countries, underscoring the nuanced nature of these ideologies.
3. Centrism
Navigating the spectrum of political ideologies as discussed above, it becomes evident that not all themes, policies, and causes uniformly receive support from a particular party, even within the overarching categories of left-wing and right-wing ideologies.
Centrism emerges as a pragmatic solution to this diversity of opinions.
Centrism is characterized by a moderate approach, often advocating for a balance between conservative and liberal policies.
So, political ideologies are described as falling on a spectrum between left-wing and right-wing, with centrism representing a position in the middle.
It is interesting to know that, there is hardly any party which lies exactly at the centre of the political spectrum. The common scenario is to see a left-wing party leaning towards the centre because, for some of its policies, it agrees with the right-wing ideology. Similarly, we can see a right-wing party shifting towards the left in the political spectrum by embracing a few leftist ideologies.
The reason behind such shifts in principles can be the actual evolution of the ideologies the party holds. But another and more prevalent reason can also be the demand of times, which can force the parties to change their stance on certain themes to win over the public and ensure vote banks.
This shifting position through the political spectrum gave rise to the Centre-Left politics and the Centre-Right politics.
4. Centre-Left Ideology
Centre-left politics aims for equal opportunities in society, often prioritizing issues like environmentalism, the arts, science, social equality, and foreign aid. Advocates of centre-left politics typically back laws and government programs to assist marginalized groups.
Centre-left ideologies include social democracy, social liberalism, progressivism, and green politics. In simple terms, these ideas are about finding a middle ground in politics. They often include some elements of libertarianism and support limited state intervention. However, it’s essential to know that the exact boundaries between centre-left, far-left, and centrist politics are not always clear and can change depending on the situation.
Now, let’s briefly look at three specific centre-left ideologies:
Social Democracy: This is a kind of socialism that focuses on changing capitalist economies, not getting rid of them entirely. Social democracy aims to make sure everyone is treated fairly in a capitalist system, supporting reforms for the common good.
Social Liberalism: Overlapping with social democracy, social liberalism supports capitalism but wants rules to make sure wealth is shared more equally. It believes in the benefits of capitalism but argues for regulations to reduce inequality.
The ideology of Progressivism: This ideology supports ongoing social reforms to make society better gradually. Progressivism is linked to social liberalism and social democracy, and it seeks positive changes without drastic revolutions.
Green Politics: This movement focuses on ecology and nonviolence. Green politics challenges traditional ways of doing things and cares about social justice. It includes ideas like environmentalism, disarmament, decentralized democracy, feminism, and more.
Remember, these ideologies can vary, and their influence depends on the place and time. They are most common in stable political systems that allow open debate with a recognized ideological centre.
5. Centre-Right Ideology
Centre-right politics, like centre-left, focuses on balancing societal needs but often leans towards conservative principles. It emphasizes individual freedoms and a limited role for the government in the economy.
For example, centre-right parties may advocate for lower taxes, free-market capitalism, and a strong national defence.
Centre-right’s approach aligns with principles of personal responsibility and self-reliance. It’s like supporting policies that encourage businesses to thrive and individuals to make their own choices.
Centre-right parties often prioritize economic stability and job growth.
A well-known example is the conservative approach of the Republican Party in the United States, which often champions free-market policies and lower taxes. In terms of a global outlook, centre-right politics may prioritize national interests, sometimes leading to scepticism about international agreements.
Just as centre-left politics varies, so does centre-right. While they may support environmental policies, they might not be as central to their platform. In essence, centre-right politics seeks a balance where individual liberties and free-market principles drive a prosperous and stable society.
6. Populist Ideology or Populism
Populism mixes aspects of both left and right ideologies, criticizing big business while also opposing established liberal, socialist, and labour parties.
Populism is a political movement that claims to represent the typical person, often highlighting a contrast with an elite or establishment.
Populism can take on democratic or authoritarian characteristics. It tends to be sceptical of political representation and anything that acts as a mediator between the people and their leaders. In its more democratic version, populism aims to protect the interests and enhance the influence of regular citizens, focusing on reforms rather than revolutionary changes.
[Source- https://www.britannica.com/topic/populism]
Still confused about who to vote?
You are not alone. I often fail to determine where I stand on the spectrum. The knowledge of the Right-Wing and Left-Wing politics is substantial, but its shifting dynamics can often leave us confused.
The chaos that ensues during elections and the way political parties actively try to impress the public, promising things and appeasing the vote bank can often be mindboggling.
The way leaders slander each other at every rally and campaign, often makes us question if they are the only leaders who we have to choose from. Why is there no powerful voice? And when there is an eccentric, powerful voice and an inspiring leader, we can still disagree with some policies they want to bring in.
In the end, it mostly becomes a situation like an arranged marriage. You might have a list of things you want your spouse to be, but you cannot have everything you desire in a single individual. What do you do in such cases? Ensure that you choose the person who at least has those traits which are uncompromisable.
For example, you may want your spouse to be tall and educated. But if you could get only one, you probably would compromise on the height but not on education. You can perhaps say ‘Yes’ to someone less attractive but not someone who is ‘Abusive’. It is all about your priorities and understanding what are the non-negotiable values
The same approach holds when deciding who should govern your country. While finding the “ideal political party” or the perfect leader might be elusive, you can identify those whose values resonate with yours. Look for leaders who propose policies that you don’t vehemently oppose, aligning with your core beliefs and priorities.
Ask yourself questions like :
- What are my views on climate change and what is the government of my country going to do about it?
- Where does the government stand on the gender and racial debate?
- Which party will work better for social welfare?
- Who will generate more employment?
- Which party will safeguard freedom of speech and call out hate speech?
Beware of Appeasement and Selfish Voting
A striking historical example of unwavering support leading to devastating consequences is Hitler’s rule and the actions of the Nazi Party during World War II. While an extreme case, it vividly demonstrates the harm caused when individual views align too strongly with leaders’ ideologies, ultimately tearing apart society.
Though less extreme, the politics of appeasement is still prevalent and often deceives voters, even those who are educated and well-informed. Rooted in selfish personal motives, this approach prioritizes personal gain under a specific government, prompting people to disregard their sense of social responsibility. Such decision-making is inherently unsustainable, as endorsing and accepting it hinders governments from focusing on impartial social and economic welfare.
This shortsighted approach is bound to backfire when circumstances change.
Ultimately, this self-centred mentality corrupts citizens’ thinking and government’s functioning. The cycle can only break if we advocate for the fair treatment of every citizen, view policies through the lens of common welfare, and demand ethical governance that prioritizes the country’s fundamental needs over the mere appeasement of vote banks.
Conclusion
Exploring the vast realm of political ideologies can lead us to various branches like Liberalism, Authoritarianism, Socialism, Communism, Conservatism, and more. However, for a basic understanding and party classification, the differentiation between Right and Left-wing political theory can suffice for most individuals.
Reflecting on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where would you place the need to be aware of these ideologies and the need to be well informed to cast your votes accurately?
While many people may live their lives without any idea of how government plays a vital role in shaping policies, introducing laws, and running campaigns that directly impact basic, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization needs.
Expressions like “I hate politics” or “I don’t like to get into politics” are common, yet we engage in politics daily, whether through passing thoughts, emotional reactions, or decision-making. As individuals contributing to positive change, consider the parallel impact of a government in power. The sheer potential they possess to bring about significant change dwarfs our efforts.
Society stands to gain immensely from good governance and appropriate political ideologies. Understanding our ideology enables us to choose the right government, fostering economic, social, and cultural welfare and development for all citizens.
So, why wait? Prepare your priority list and choose your partner wisely. Remember, the wedding matters less; what truly matters is the marriage.