Changes

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

The original definition referred to Church and state issues from the late 18th century Enlightenment period. At its root was faith vs. rationalism, or the Church vs. [[secularism]]. The so-called "right", defined as "traditional interests" referred to the Church & monarchy who ruled by the [[divine right of kings]], and the so-called "left" constituted secular elements challenging the Church's long-held influence over civil government.  These definitions have always been problematic when attempting to assign western notions of "left and right" to societies which traditionally have no conception of separation of church and states, such as in Islam <ref>[http://nobsopus.blogspot.com/1993/11/political-career-of-muhammad.html The Political Career of Muhammad], Arnold Toynbee, ''A Study of History'' Annex II TO III. C. (ii) (b) p. 466.</ref> or Czarist Russia.

The original definition referred to Church and state issues from the late 18th century Enlightenment period. At its root was faith vs. rationalism, or the Church vs. [[secularism]]. The so-called "right", defined as "traditional interests" referred to the Church & monarchy who ruled by the [[divine right of kings]], and the so-called "left" constituted secular elements challenging the Church's long-held influence over civil government.  These definitions have always been problematic when attempting to assign western notions of "left and right" to societies which traditionally have no conception of separation of church and states, such as in Islam in Muslim countries<ref>[http://nobsopus.blogspot.com/1993/11/political-career-of-muhammad.html The Political Career of Muhammad], Arnold Toynbee, ''A Study of History'' Annex II TO III. C. (ii) (b) p. 466.</ref> or Czarist Russia.

The monarchy and titled nobility became known as the "right"; this idea, however, has been disabused in the United States where a landlord class of titled nobles never existed, and, in fact, is specifically prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.  Hence Europeans today, based upon their own cultural idioms and history, have an extremely discolored view of what the "American right" is.   

The monarchy and titled nobility became known as the "right"; this idea, however, has been disabused in the United States where a landlord class of titled nobles never existed, and, in fact, is specifically prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.  Hence Europeans today, based upon their own cultural idioms and history, have an extremely discolored view of what the "American right" is.