The political left and right

What are they left and right of? That presupposes a reference point called ‘center’, but where is that?

The Acton Institute blog takes up the issue of political terminology here.

One of the most frustrating things about politics is the use of simplistic labels to categorize political beliefs-in particular, the terms “conservative” and “liberal.”

Instead of a “left-right” political spectrum, Libertarians are quick to note that people embrace various degrees of freedom (or government) in two separate realms: economic markets and personal or social behaviors.

And then the definitions expand from there.

In particular, the terms “conservative” and “liberal” are immediately complicated by the fact that there are various types of each. At the end of the day, unless adjectives are added to these one-word labels, they are not particularly helpful for drawing lines in shifting political sands.

Eric Schansberg is particularly helpful in writing this series elaborating on political labels, explaining which adjectives describe which groups, and defining their particular concerns and worldview. He starts with libertarians, which is a briefer summary. Then he explains the different categories of conservatives, followed by the different kinds of liberals.

It’s a better analysis of political terminology than anything I’ve seen yet. Labels aren’t desirable, but we’re stuck with them. So let’s understand what they mean.

I recommended that we move away from describing politics along a spectrum of left vs. right or liberal vs. conservative-and noted that people have different beliefs about the role of government in the economic and social/personal realms.

That said, the terms liberal and conservative are still useful — as long as they are modified to give them more precision…

In any case, discussions about politics would have more clarity if we chose more precise labels.

And let them generate a better understanding of where people stand…better than they do now.

As such, labels often encourage people to focus on who (or what) they oppose instead of who (or what) they support.