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Line 1: + − :'''Stop right here'''. Is al-Qeade left or right under this definition?+ − + + + + + + + + + + + + + − :'''egalitarianism, and collectivism'''. This is unacceptable. to equate "egalitarianism" to "collectivism" is ludicrous. − *Yet another definition describes current political differences by saying that the 'left' tends to favor personal freedoms, while the 'right' tends to favor economic freedoms.<ref>Somebody named Nolan?</ref> − :'''Bogus arguement.''' economic freedom is personal freedom.
Talk:Political spectrum/definitions (view source)
Revision as of 11:10, April 11, 2007
, 11:10, April 11, 2007→Definitions
==Definitions==
==Definitions==
The left-right political spectrum is a way of classifying some political positions as "leftist" or "rightist". Obviously, it is not intended to classify every possible political belief as one or the other, and there is controversy about which criterion should used for the classification. Some of the main theories used to classify positions along the left-right spectrum are the following:
*Traditionally political scientists have defined the left-right '''political spectrum''' by saying that politics on the 'right' usually supports the traditional institutions and values of a society, while politics on the 'left' usually favors challenging traditional institutions and values.<ref>H. Winter and T. Bellows (1997), Conflict and Compromise: An Introduction to Political Science, 8th ed., Ch. 3. Longman, Inc.</ref>,<ref>S. Tansey (2000), Politics: the Basics, 2nd ed., Ch. 4. Routledge, Inc.</ref>,<ref>Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, def. 2.8 of 'right' and def. 2.3 of 'left'</ref>
*Traditionally political scientists have defined the left-right '''political spectrum''' by saying that politics on the 'right' usually supports the traditional institutions and values of a society, while politics on the 'left' usually favors challenging traditional institutions and values.<ref>H. Winter and T. Bellows (1997), Conflict and Compromise: An Introduction to Political Science, 8th ed., Ch. 3. Longman, Inc.</ref>,<ref>S. Tansey (2000), Politics: the Basics, 2nd ed., Ch. 4. Routledge, Inc.</ref>,<ref>Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, def. 2.8 of 'right' and def. 2.3 of 'left'</ref>
*An alternative definition which some political scientists say better describes current political differences states that those on the 'left' tend to favor bigger government, egalitarianism, and collectivism while those on the 'right' favored smaller government, free markets, and individualism.<ref>Ed Poor's high-school teacher</ref>
*An alternative definition which some political scientists say better describes current political differences states that those on the 'left' tend to favor bigger government, egalitarianism, and collectivism while those on the 'right' favored smaller government, free markets, and individualism.<ref>Ed Poor's high-school teacher</ref>
*Yet another definition describes current political differences by saying that the 'left' tends to favor personal freedoms, while the 'right' tends to favor economic freedoms.<ref>Somebody named Nolan?</ref>
REBUTTING objections by RobS:
:About Def. 1: '''Stop right here'''. Is al-Qeade left or right under this definition?
::I would say neither. There is no reason to suppose every political movement falls on the left/right spectrum. --[[User:Redblue|Redblue]] 07:10, 11 April 2007 (EDT)
:About Def. 2: '''egalitarianism, and collectivism'''. This is unacceptable. to equate "egalitarianism" to "collectivism" is ludicrous.
::Nothing in Def. 2 states or implies that egalitarianism is the same thing as collectivism. If they were the same, one word would suffice.
:About Def. 3: '''Bogus arguement.''' economic freedom is personal freedom.
::Sorry, your objection is bogus. Many people argue that economic freedom helps promote personal freedom, and vice versa. But they are not the same thing.
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