Far-left politics
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The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (November 2011) |
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Far left, also known as the revolutionary left, radical left and extreme left are terms which refer to the highest degree of leftist positions among left-wing politics. The far left seeks the creation of strong or complete social equality in society and the dismantlement of all forms of social hierarchy.[1] It seeks to dismantle all forms of social hierarchy, particularly to end unequal distribution of wealth - especially identifying capitalism as a major source of social inequality.[2] The far left seeks the complete equalization of the distribution of wealth, and a society where in theory everyone is to be completely equal and where no one will have excessive power or wealth over others.[3]
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[edit] Meanings of "Far-left"
In France, the term extrême-gauche ("far left") is a generally accepted term for political groups to the left of the French Communist Party (such as Trotskyists, anarchists, Maoists and New Leftist).[4]
The German political scientist Eckhard Jesse includes anarchists, different trends of communism (communists of pro-Soviet orientation, Maoists and Trotskyists) and the Autonome among the (German) far-left.[5]
Dr. Luke March of the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh, defines the "Far-left" in Europe as those that place themselves to the left of social democracy, which they see as insufficiently left-wing. The two main sub-types are the so called "radical left", for their desire for fundamental change to the capitalist system while accepting of democracy, and the "extreme left" who are more hostile to liberal democracy and denounce any compromise with capitalism. March sees four major subgroups within contemporary European far-left politics: communists, democratic socialists, populist socialists and social populists.[6]
Hloušek and Kopeček add secondary characteristics to those identified by March and Mudde, such as anti-Americanism, anti-globalism, opposition to NATO and rejection of European integration[7]
McKlosky and Chong surveyed a number of militant, revolutionary far-left groups in the US and they argue that like far-right extremists they tend to show traits of authoritarianism.[8] McKlosky and Chong further assert that in the USA, the far-left groups they studied are deeply estranged from American society and highly critical of what they perceive as the spiritual and moral degeneration of American institutions, they view American society as dominated by conspiratorial forces that are working to defeat their ideological aims.[8]
[edit] Political parties
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The neutrality of this section is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. (February 2012) |
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It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article titled List of far-left parties. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2012. |
In a study for the social democratic Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Luke March classified the following European parties as far-left (in accordance with his definition of far-left as parties that place themselves to the left of social democracy)[6]: Outside of Europe, the far-left applies to not only Communist and some Green parties, but also to sub-factions of mainstream parties e.g. the Socialist Left faction of the Australian Labor Party. The Socialist Left adheres mostly to Democratic Socialism which was the party's original ideology as well as Christian & Agrarian Socialism and far-left ideologies.[citation needed]
| Subtypes | Radical left | Extreme left |
|---|---|---|
| Reform communist | Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) Party of Communist Refoundation (PRC) Party of Italian Communists (PdCI) Communist Party of Spain (PCE) Progressive Party of Working People of Cyprus (AKEL) French Communist Party (PCF) |
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| Conservative communist | Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Communist Party of Slovakia (KSS) Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) Socialist Party of Latvia (LSP) |
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| Democratic socialist | Left Alliance (Finland) (VAS) Left Party (Sweden) (V) Socialist People's Party (Denmark) (SF) Socialist Left Party (Norway) (SV) Left-Green Movement (Iceland) (VG) Left Bloc (Portugal) (BE) Synaspismós (Greece) |
Red-Green Alliance (Denmark) (EL) |
| Populist socialist | Socialist Party (Netherlands) (SP) Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) The Left (Germany) Sinn Féin (Ireland) |
New Anti-Capitalist Party (France) (NPA) |
| Social populist | Association of Slovak Workers (ZRS) |
[edit] See also
- European Anticapitalist Left
- Extremism
- Far-right politics
- Glossary of the French Revolution
- Ideology
- Left-wing political parties
- Libertarian Marxism
- List of communist and anti-capitalist parties with parliamentary representation
- Luxemburgism
- Socialism
[edit] References
- ^ Oliver H. Woshinsky. Explaining Politics: Culture, Institutions, and Political Behavior. Oxon, England, UK; New York, New York, USA: Routledge, 2008.Pp. 145-149.
- ^ Oliver H. Woshinsky. Explaining Politics: Culture, Institutions, and Political Behavior. Oxon, England, UK; New York, New York, USA: Routledge, 2008.Pp. 145-149.
- ^ Oliver H. Woshinsky. Explaining Politics: Culture, Institutions, and Political Behavior. Oxon, England, UK; New York, New York, USA: Routledge, 2008.Pp. 145-149.
- ^ Cosseron, Serge (ed.). Le dictionnaire de l'extrême gauche. Paris: Larousse, 2007. p. 20
- ^ Eckhard Jesse: Linksextremismus. In: Everhard Holtmann (Hrsg.): Politik-Lexikon. München-Wien 2003, S. 356
- ^ a b March, Luke (2008). Contemporary Far Left Parties in Europe. Berlin: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. p. 3. ISBN 978-3-86872-000-6. http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id/ipa/05818.pdf.
- ^ Hloušek, Vít; Lubomír Kopeček (2010). Origin, ideology and transformation of political parties: East-Central and Western Europe compared. Ashgate Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 9780754678403.
- ^ a b Herbert McClosky, Dennis Chong (1985). "Similarities and Differences Between Left-Wing and Right-Wing Radicals". British Journal of Political Science (Cambridge University Press) 15 (03): 329–363.
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