Difference between revisions of "Right-wing politics"
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The term '''Rightist''' refers to someone on the 'right' side of the political spectrum. Politics on the 'right' usually | The term '''Rightist''' refers to someone on the 'right' side of the political spectrum. Politics on the 'right' usually | ||
| − | imply taking positions in favor of the traditional system of a society, including its traditional values and its traditional ruling institutions. | + | imply taking positions in favor of the traditional system of a society, including its traditional values and its traditional ruling institutions. Compare: [[leftist]]. |
Of course, it is not obvious that there is just one dimension of political thought, so that people can unambiguously | Of course, it is not obvious that there is just one dimension of political thought, so that people can unambiguously | ||
Revision as of 07:58, April 9, 2007
The term Rightist refers to someone on the 'right' side of the political spectrum. Politics on the 'right' usually imply taking positions in favor of the traditional system of a society, including its traditional values and its traditional ruling institutions. Compare: leftist.
Of course, it is not obvious that there is just one dimension of political thought, so that people can unambiguously be classified as 'right' or 'left'. Nonetheless, the left/right distinction is widely recognized.
The origin of this term comes from the National Assembly in France just before the French Revolution. More liberal members, who supported political rights for all classes of society, would sit on the left side of the assembly hall in which they met. More conservative members, who supported the return of the monarchy, would sit towards the right. Those who had been offended by their own party would frequently stand up and walk over to the other side of the hall in order to make a political statement.
Conservative and right-wing are two synonyms for 'rightist'.
Compare: Leftist