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The Political Spectrum. Left and Right?. Why do we sometimes refer to people as being either left or right? What do we mean when we call some as a ‘righty’ or ‘lefty’? Where does the term come from?. Speaker. Commoners, Businessmen, etc. Aristocrats/Royalists/the Church . (Left). (Right).
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Left and Right? Why do we sometimes refer to people as being either left or right? What do we mean when we call some as a ‘righty’ or ‘lefty’? Where does the term come from?
Speaker Commoners, Businessmen, etc. Aristocrats/Royalists/the Church (Left) (Right)
Philosophy • People are naturally social and altruistic • The state’s role is to care/provide for everyone (requires more taxes) • Resources/institutions should be collectively owned • Progressive (changing) social values • There is a “Common Good” • People are naturally individualistic and self-interested • The state’s role is more or less to protect individual rights (less taxes) • More traditional (fixed) social values • No particular conception of the “Common Good” Left Right Karl Marx 1818-1833 John Locke 1632-1704
Role of Government Left Right We collectively decide what is “good for me” I decide what is “good for me” Greater Collective Responsibility to Others Greater Personal Responsibility Private/Individual ownership of institutions, natural resources, industry etc. Public/Collective ownership of institutions, natural resources, industry etc. Very Involved in the affairs of individuals and businesses Not very Involved in how individuals or business operate
Canada on the Spectrum Left Right Centre