Left wing political ideology or philosophy had been widely become popular on the backdrop of Russian revolution in the early twentieth century. Ever since, it started penetrating in the different regions until the collapse of Soviet union. Political ideology propounded by Mao Ze Dong and Chinese communist party are the example of left wing political ideology and political parties.
Meaning and examples of left wing political ideology or philosophy
As I explained earlier that the left wing political ideology or philosophy is a part of political spectrum of left wing and right wing. Needless to say that it is a symbolic representation of the sitting arrangement that took place in French legislature during revolution.
Major characteristics of left wing political ideology or philosophy.
1.Rational approach,
2.Use of science and technology,
3.Favour to individual rights,
4.Religious tolerance and fraternity are the major characteristics of the left wing philosophy.
Besides, foster bilateral relations, support globalization and oppose concentration of wealth and power. So, there is no place for the mushrooming for the social hierarchy.
The ultimate goal is to make egalitarian classless social and economic structure in which resources are distributed to satisfy needs of people.
Evolution of left wing Political ideologies and political parties
Present day left wing political parties are not emerged suddenly but took centuries to reach at this stage. Communism, Leninism, Maoism, socialism and Authoritarian communism are examples of left wing political ideologies or philosophies we experience today.
a) Democratic socialism
b) Socialism
c) Communism
d) Absolute Communism
e) Authoritarian communism
Though absolute communism or classless egalitarian society looks hypothetical, once almost one-third globe was dominated by the left wing politics.
However, presently, it is constantly declining except Republic of China, Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela etc.
Most importantly, not the single form of communism is universally adopted as the form of government. Democratic socialism is the liberal form of left wing political ideology or philosophy majority of nations adopted.
Compare to socialism, communism is the advanced form of socialism China and North Korea chose.
As per the horseshoe theory, at certain stage, both extreme communism and right wing fascism display similar characteristics.
Strictly speaking, left wing philosophy is a spectrum of different forms of ideologies with difference in degree and extremity.
Why does left wing political ideology emerge?
- Economic inequalities
- Social hierarchy,
- Religious intolerance,
- Conservatists mentality,
- Concentration of social,
- Economic and political power in few hands are the some reasons enough to invite leftist influence
During the industrial revolution and colonialism, the wealth was accumulated by few players leaving majority to suffer and sleep hungry. Thereafter, the fresh spring of socialism arose in the Europe and elsewhere hoping to get relief.
Suddenly, after cold war era, the influence has been constantly diminishing except some regions.
Finally, it is convenient to conclude that no ideology or philosophy could be permanent, nor it could be irrelevant anyway, but part of cycle that goes hunting.
Left wing political ideology Vs right wing political ideology
Left wing and right wing are the two dimensional symbolic representation of political spectrum.
It is based on the Geometric coordinate of “X and Y” axis intersecting at the right angle. So, left of Y axis is called left wing; while right wing on the right side.
Geometricly, there is opposing or contrasting relationship between two axis : Left and right sides of “X axis”.
It is important to note that the genesis of such opposing relations have been rooted in the age of enlightenment and sitting arrangement of in legislature in France during revolution.
ideals of enlightenment and rise of liberal approach
Simply, the age of enlightenment was characterized by the conflicting views regarding truth about the world we live in.
One wants to supersede human cause over the earlier conservative religious and social beliefs. Whereas, other wanted to preserve earlier one.
Enlightenment thinkers beleive that truth about world, religion could be explored on the line of natural laws.
It was challenge for earlier belief that truth is believed as per the religious sculptures and age old social traditions.
Power of reasoning could be a mean to explore relationship on the basis of proved facts and can be tested by empirical methods.
Enlightenment thinkers advocated the freedom and coercion free life.
On the other hand, conservatists apposed the free will of individuals and demanded human subordination to religious, social and political institutions.
| Sr. No. | Ideals of Enligh. | Progressive | Conservative |
| 1 | True reality of world | By power of reason | religious beliefs |
| 2 | reason and empiricism | Display human strength | rejected |
| 3 | Freedom/Equality | Indispensable | supported hierarchy |
| 4 | supremacy of nature | means to test explored truth | Beliefs in permanent nature |
| 5 | wellbeing of mankind | Ultimate goal | Subordinated to religious and political institutions |
In simple terms, age of enlightenment was the harbinger of freedom, proven truth and well-being of humanity.
Earlier conservative religious and political beliefs were in favour of natural hierarchy, supremacy of church and concentration of economic and political power in few hands.
French revolution and sitting arrangement in legislature
The age of enlightenment fed the hidden urge or desire of dominated majority by dominant elites, to demand due justice, freedom, and equality.
Needless to say that French and American revolutions were the direct products of the ideals of enlightenment.
In the French legislature, during revolution, sitting arrangement in legislature from the chair of speaker assumed the pattern of ideological divide between two forces: progressive and conservative.
It was the beginning of left wing and right wing ideological divide in the national and global politics. And, in the today’s global politics, it is more noticeable.
Q. What are the major characteristics of left wing political ideology or philosophy?
Ans: Rational approach, use of science and technology, favour to individual rights, religious tolerance and fraternity are the major characteristics of the left wing philosophy.