Changes

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. Constititution.  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. Constititution.  Hence Europeans today, based upon their own cultural idioms and history, have an extremely discolored view of what  the "American right" is.   

Another common misperception is, while the "right" has become identified with defending and advocating [[Judeo-Christian]] values, [[secular]] [[atheist]] mass movements such as [[National Socialism]] are often either mistakenly or deliberately labeled as [[right-wing]]. This fallacy has been particularly well illustrated in our own time by examining the modern [[fascist]] [[Ba'athist]] [[regime]]s of [[Iraq]] and [[Syria]]. Both have their roots in the anti-clerical influences of Western [[Socialism]] against fundamentalist [[Islam]], and inherently promote "change" against oppressive religious [[theocracy]].

Another common misperception is, while the "right" has become identified with defending and advocating [[Judeo-Christian]] values, [[secular]] [[atheist]] mass movements such as [[national socialism]] are often either mistakenly or deliberately labeled as [[right-wing]]. This fallacy has been particularly well illustrated in our own time by examining the modern [[fascist]] [[Ba'athist]] [[regime]]s of [[Iraq]] and [[Syria]]. Both have their roots in the anti-clerical influences of Western [[socialism]] against fundamentalist [[Islam]], and inherently promote "change" against oppressive religious [[theocracy]].

The "left" is often described as advocating "change" of traditional systems and institutions of a society, however the leftist regimes of [[Cuba]] and [[North Korea]] stoutly resist changes other leftist regimes abandoned 20 years ago after seven decades of stagnation and exploitation of the oppressed common people by a privileged leftist ruling elite.

The "left" is often described as advocating "change" of traditional systems and institutions of a society, however the leftist regimes of [[Cuba]] and [[North Korea]] stoutly resist changes other leftist regimes abandoned 20 years ago after seven decades of stagnation and exploitation of the oppressed common people by a privileged leftist ruling elite.

While the left may challenge the authority, legitimacy and even existence of a Supreme power, the right is beholden to traditional faith-based cultural attitudes.

While the left may challenge the authority, legitimacy and even existence of a supreme power, the right is beholden to traditional faith-based cultural attitudes.

==Origins==

==Origins==

At the time of the [[French Revolution]], when the existing order, or ''[[Ancien Regime]]'' had been overthrown, the idea of [[nationalism]] did not exist throughout most of [[Europe]].  During the violent years of 1793 and 1794 in France, a love of the ''Patrie'', or the nation, was cultivated to replace the foundations upon which [[society]] had been built under the old order.  Under the stimulus of this movement for national unification, Catholicism was faced with the competition of a worship of national patriotism.  [[Nationalism]] grew out of this new will to construct and shape the political community. <ref>John Hall Stewart, ''A Documentary Survey of the French Revolution'' (Macmillan, New York, 1963). </ref><ref>David A. Bell, ''The Cult of the Nation in France: Inventing Nationalism, 1680-1800'', (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2001). [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2005/is_1_37/ai_109668489]</ref>   

At the time of the [[French Revolution]], when the existing order, or ''[[Ancien Regime]]'' had been overthrown, the idea of [[nationalism]] did not exist throughout most of [[Europe]].  During the violent years of 1793 and 1794 in France, a love of the ''Patrie'', or the nation, was cultivated to replace the foundations upon which [[society]] had been built under the old order.  Under the stimulus of this movement for national unification, Catholicism was faced with the competition of a worship of national patriotism.  [[Nationalism]] grew out of this new will to construct and shape the political community. <ref>John Hall Stewart, ''A Documentary Survey of the French Revolution'' (Macmillan, New York, 1963). </ref><ref>David A. Bell, ''The Cult of the Nation in France: Inventing Nationalism, 1680-1800'', (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2001). [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2005/is_1_37/ai_109668489]</ref>   

This transmutation of a love of God to a love of "the people" as being the basis for a social and political order spread across Europe and other parts of the world during the nineteenth century.  In Germany it became a recognition and conciousness of "''das volk''", later in Russia it was a dedication to the "''narodny''".  By the mid-nineteenth century, Socialism as a doctrine sought to overthrow the existing order of society, the Church and aristocracy, by promoting atheism and nationalism.  The basic tenet was to replace the individual's committment to love and serve God with the individual's committment to love and serve the collective society.

This transmutation of a love of God to a love of "the people" as being the basis for a social and political order spread across Europe and other parts of the world during the nineteenth century.  In Germany it became a recognition and conciousness of "''das volk''", later in Russia it was a dedication to the "''narodny''".  By the mid-nineteenth century, socialism as a doctrine sought to overthrow the existing order of society, the church and aristocracy, by promoting atheism and nationalism.  The basic tenet was to replace the individual's committment to love and serve God with the individual's committment to love and serve the collective society.

Socialism has always been [[authoritarian]] from its beginnings. It began as a reaction against the [[classical liberalism]] of the French Revolution. The French writers who laid its foundation had no doubt that their ideas could be put into practice only by a strong dictatorial government. The first of modern planners, Henri de Saint-Simon, predicted those who did not obey his proposed [[economic plan]]ning boards would be ‘treated as cattle.’ <ref>[http://www.iea.org.uk/files/upld-publication43pdf?.pdf ''Road to Serfdom'',] Friedrich A. Hayek, Reader's Digest Condensed Version, April 1945, pg. 39.</ref>

Socialism has always been [[authoritarian]] from its beginnings. It began as a reaction against the [[classical liberalism]] of the French Revolution. The French writers who laid its foundation had no doubt that their ideas could be put into practice only by a strong dictatorial government. The first of modern planners, Henri de Saint-Simon, predicted those who did not obey his proposed [[economic plan]]ning boards would be ‘treated as cattle.’ <ref>[http://www.iea.org.uk/files/upld-publication43pdf?.pdf ''Road to Serfdom'',] Friedrich A. Hayek, Reader's Digest Condensed Version, April 1945, pg. 39.</ref>

==Modern use==

==Modern use==

The Left/Right scale is a misleading way of comparing political systems. People use the Left/Right approach out of habit, but it leads to confusion. For example, [[Fascism]] is often placed on the Right and [[Socialism]] on the Left. Yet fascism is [[National Socialist German Workers Party|"National" Socialism]].  Indeed, the left/right scale is just an obsolete reference to the seating arrangement of the French Assembly in the 1790's.  <ref>[http://www.lairdwilcox.com/news/nolanchart.html Beyond Left/Right]

The left/right scale is a misleading way of comparing political systems. People use the left/right approach out of habit, but it leads to confusion. For example, [[fascism]] is often placed on the right and [[socialism]] on the left. Yet fascism is [[National Socialist German Workers Party|"National" Socialism]].  Indeed, the left/right scale is just an obsolete reference to the seating arrangement of the French Assembly in the 1790's.  <ref>[http://www.lairdwilcox.com/news/nolanchart.html Beyond Left/Right]

by [http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/marshall-fritz.html Marshall Fritz], 1987.  Retrieved from lairdwilcox.com 05/25/07. </ref>  In 1970, Denver advertising executive David Nolan invented the Nolan Chart to overcome the inherently illogical weakness of the outdated Left/Right political spectrum. <ref>[http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz-faq.html#faq02 Why did the Advocates create the World's Smallest Political Quiz?] Retrieved from theadvocates.org 06/01/07.</ref>

by [http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/marshall-fritz.html Marshall Fritz], 1987.  Retrieved from lairdwilcox.com 05/25/07. </ref>  In 1970, Denver advertising executive David Nolan invented the Nolan Chart to overcome the inherently illogical weakness of the outdated left/right political spectrum. <ref>[http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz-faq.html#faq02 Why did the Advocates create the World's Smallest Political Quiz?] Retrieved from theadvocates.org 06/01/07.</ref>

[[Image:Nolan-chart.svg|right|thumb|The Nolan Chart overcomes the weaknesses of the outdated Left/Right political spectrum.]]

[[Image:Nolan-chart.svg|right|thumb|The Nolan Chart overcomes the weaknesses of the outdated left/right political spectrum.]]

The "Economic" category includes what you do as a producer and consumer. These are your actions that can be described in money. Examples are earning a wage, buying a car, renting a motorhome.

The "Economic" category includes what you do as a producer and consumer. These are your actions that can be described in money. Examples are earning a wage, buying a car, renting a motorhome.

      

      

The "Civil" (or personal) category includes what you do in relationships and expresing yourself. These actions are NOT measured in money. Examples are the way you worship God, or don't; what books or magazines give you pleasure; your personal tradeoffs between today's fun and tomorrow's health. The Bill of Rights is aimed at your freedoms in this category.

The "Civil" (or personal) category includes what you do in relationships and expresing yourself. These actions are ''not'' measured in money. Examples are the way you worship God, or don't; what books or magazines give you pleasure; your personal tradeoffs between today's fun and tomorrow's health. The Bill of Rights is aimed at your freedoms in this category.

Nolan saw how political families can be understood by the degree of INDIVIDUAL choice they offer in these categories. You can use this improved way of mapping political thought to better understand your local, national and international political environment.   

Nolan saw how political families can be understood by the degree of ''individual'' choice they offer in these categories. You can use this improved way of mapping political thought to better understand your local, national and international political environment.   

Left/Liberals like personal choice in civil matters and central decision-making in economics. They want government to serve the disadvantaged and promote equality. Left/Liberals place high value on good intentions.  They accept diversity in social behavior but seek more equality in economics. They work with Libertarians in defending civil liberties and with Socialists in advancing economic central planning.

Left/liberals like personal choice in civil matters and central decision-making in economics. They want government to serve the disadvantaged and promote equality. Left/liberals place high value on good intentions.  They accept diversity in social behavior but seek more equality in economics. They work with libertarians in defending civil liberties and with socialists in advancing economic central planning.

Right/Conservatives like personal choice in economics and central decision-making in civil matters. They want government to defend the community from threats to it's moral fiber. Right/Conservatives place high value on laws and legislation.  They accept diversity in economics but seek similarity in social behavior. They work with Libertarians in defending economic freedoms and with Populists in enforcing community standards in social matters.  

Right/conservatives like personal choice in economics and central decision-making in civil matters. They want government to defend the community from threats to it's moral fiber. Right/conservatives place high value on laws and legislation.  They accept diversity in economics but seek similarity in social behavior. They work with libertarians in defending economic freedoms and with populists in enforcing community standards in social matters.  

Socialists & [[Populist]]s favor central decision-making in both civil and economic matters. They believe the needs of the individual are subordinate to the needs of society. They want government to "correct wrongs." While they strongly differ on particular programs, both prefer equality in economic and personal matters.

Socialists and [[populist]]s favor central decision-making in both civil and economic matters. They believe the needs of the individual are subordinate to the needs of society. They want government to "correct wrongs." While they strongly differ on particular programs, both prefer equality in economic and personal matters.

Classical Liberals/Libertarians like personal choice in both civil and economic matters. They believe government's only purpose is to safeguard people from coercion and violence. They value individual responsibility and tolerance. Libertarians accept diversity in both social behavior and in economic situation.

Classical liberals/Libertarians like personal choice in both civil and economic matters. They believe government's only purpose is to safeguard people from coercion and violence. They value individual responsibility and tolerance. Libertarians accept diversity in both social behavior and in economic situation.

Centrists favor selective governmental intervention and temporary affiliations with others. They take a strong stance on few issues, prefering the middle position in most matters. Centrists emphasize practical solutions to current public issues.

Centrists favor selective governmental intervention and temporary affiliations with others. They take a strong stance on few issues, prefering the middle position in most matters. Centrists emphasize practical solutions to current public issues.