Post #1162622 · Elektrine

2026-04-15 03:21 UTC

Only on the political compass, which uses a definition of left vs right that a lot of leftists disagree with. Really, the entire history of "left wing" politics has been about questioning and dismantling authority. The terms "left wing" and "right wing" come from the French revolution, when the people in favour of simply reforming the monarchy sat on the right side of the room, while the people who wanted to fully dismantling the monarchy sat on the left. A lot of more modern leftist thought is about questioning the power that capitalist businesses have.

Replies (3)

@deranger@sh.itjust.works 2026-04-15 06:44

Well said. Still; can you not have authoritarian left and libertarian left viewpoints? I just don’t see how questioning the power capitalist businesses have is limited to the libertarian left. What’s wrong with the definition of left & right on the political compass? I’m not super tuned into political science but this is the first I’ve heard that many leftists have take issue with it. I have seen the authoritarian left referred to as “red fascists”, but do they not also take issue with the power capitalist businesses have? I suppose I’d consider myself a left libertarian. The power of the state should be limited and what power is granted to the state should be used to improve the life of the people.

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@Drusas@fedia.io 2026-04-15 04:25

Very well said, thank you.

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@j_overgrens@feddit.nl 2026-04-15 08:31

Worthwile to note here that the left of the French revolution, the Jacobins, did develop authoritarianism. Which should have been a warning sign for all leftists to come, but alas...

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