The political Compass
When discussing diferent political philosophies, we often use terms like Left or Right to distinguish between policies, beliefs and general types of party. The political compass, shown on the left, is a way to visualise the left-right divide, as well as a person/party's views on government intervention.
Essentially, the left-right scale determines economic policy (taxes, public spending, etc.) and the authoritarian-libertarian scale determines how much oversight a government employs (policing, criminal law and punishment, etc.). If you're interested in where you fall on the political compass, then you can take the test over at politicalcompass.org. The test takes between 10 and 25 minutes. It consists of a series of statements that you mus agree or disagree with and is entirely free of charge. For reference, the site also has the profiles of numerous political parties from Ireland, Britain, American and several others. Another good site to check out is politicaltest.net. Similar to Political compass, it presents you with statements to agree or disagree with, however it goes more in depth into how your views are divided up and what your results mean specifically. The site is originally in German and has some grammatical errors, but it's a solid resource. |
Political Movements and Terminology
A political movemet can range anywhere from a nationwide political party to a small group, focused on local issues. Beyond a movement's economic and government oversight policies, different movements may also differ on specific details. For instance, how should a country's government be constructed. Republicanism, Federalism and Monarchism are examples of this kind of divergence.
Very frequently, certain movements are closely associated with the left or the right. However, broader sweeping concepts like Republicanism can vary wildly between left and right. On this page, we will detail some of the varieties of different political movement's and explain some of the terminology behind them.
Very frequently, certain movements are closely associated with the left or the right. However, broader sweeping concepts like Republicanism can vary wildly between left and right. On this page, we will detail some of the varieties of different political movement's and explain some of the terminology behind them.
The Left and the Right
Probably the most commonly used divider in politics, the left and the right are old concepts. In 1798, in the lead up to the French revolution, the royalists and revolutionaries divided themselves into 2 groups within King Louis' court. To the right of the throne, there were royalists and the church, and to the left of the throne, workers, revolutionary philosophers and other disenfranchised people. In later years, the concept stuck and spread across the western world.
Traditionally, the Left is made up of lower classes and other people that want change. Unions, charities, environmentalists and civil rights campaigners are all often seen as part of the Left. The Right is associated with upper classes and people who generally benefit from the status quo, or would benefit from conservative reforms. Corporations, big businesses and authority figures are mostly associated with the Right.
But here there emerges another group, the Centre. The Centre is generally made up of the Middle Class. In general, the Centre likes things the way they are. However, within most western democracies, the Centre makes up the bulk of the voting population. As a result of this, most parties, from either side of the spectrum, attempt to court the Centre, offering to enact policies that would benefit the Middle Class or a specific subgroup of it.
Seeing the entire spectrum is very polarising. Most mainstream political parties can find common ground in one way or another. So it is beneficial to split these 3 groups up into subgroups.
Centre-Left and Centre-Right.
The Centre is an arbitrary concept. Nobody is really neutral. Everyone has an innate, if slight preference for one style of politics or the other. Unsurprisingly, Centre-Left voters will have an easier time supporting Left wing politics and vice versa for the Centre-Right. However both groups will find it easier to stomach working with a party from the opposing side of the spectrum. For example; Irish Labour, a Centre-Left party, has worked with Fine Geal, a Moderate-Right party, on numerous occasions.
Moderate-Left and Moderate-Right.
Most political parties fall into these 2 categories. Moderates generally try to garner support from Centrists. It's much less likely that 2 Moderate parties from opposing sides of the spectrum will cooperate, however it does happen. The 30th Dáil was made up of Fianna Fáil, a Moderate-Right party, and Green Party, a Moderate-Left party. Moderate parties on a specific side of the spectrum will often compete against orther parties on the same side of that spectrum. Fianna Fáil and Fine Geal spend much more time at each other's throats than, say, competing against Sinn Féin. And there's a perfectly good reason for this.
Hard-Left and Hard-Right.
On the far ends of the Spectrum, we get hard-line parties. Sometimes these groups are referred to as Far-Left and Far-right. Hard-line parties are much less likely to compromise, even on small issues. They take their political philosophy very seriously, almost literally. Because these parties are so fundamentalist and polarising in their thinking, they make up a very small portion of the political parties in most democratic systems. Ireland has no serious Hard-Left or Hard-Right parties at present.
Traditionally, the Left is made up of lower classes and other people that want change. Unions, charities, environmentalists and civil rights campaigners are all often seen as part of the Left. The Right is associated with upper classes and people who generally benefit from the status quo, or would benefit from conservative reforms. Corporations, big businesses and authority figures are mostly associated with the Right.
But here there emerges another group, the Centre. The Centre is generally made up of the Middle Class. In general, the Centre likes things the way they are. However, within most western democracies, the Centre makes up the bulk of the voting population. As a result of this, most parties, from either side of the spectrum, attempt to court the Centre, offering to enact policies that would benefit the Middle Class or a specific subgroup of it.
Seeing the entire spectrum is very polarising. Most mainstream political parties can find common ground in one way or another. So it is beneficial to split these 3 groups up into subgroups.
Centre-Left and Centre-Right.
The Centre is an arbitrary concept. Nobody is really neutral. Everyone has an innate, if slight preference for one style of politics or the other. Unsurprisingly, Centre-Left voters will have an easier time supporting Left wing politics and vice versa for the Centre-Right. However both groups will find it easier to stomach working with a party from the opposing side of the spectrum. For example; Irish Labour, a Centre-Left party, has worked with Fine Geal, a Moderate-Right party, on numerous occasions.
Moderate-Left and Moderate-Right.
Most political parties fall into these 2 categories. Moderates generally try to garner support from Centrists. It's much less likely that 2 Moderate parties from opposing sides of the spectrum will cooperate, however it does happen. The 30th Dáil was made up of Fianna Fáil, a Moderate-Right party, and Green Party, a Moderate-Left party. Moderate parties on a specific side of the spectrum will often compete against orther parties on the same side of that spectrum. Fianna Fáil and Fine Geal spend much more time at each other's throats than, say, competing against Sinn Féin. And there's a perfectly good reason for this.
Hard-Left and Hard-Right.
On the far ends of the Spectrum, we get hard-line parties. Sometimes these groups are referred to as Far-Left and Far-right. Hard-line parties are much less likely to compromise, even on small issues. They take their political philosophy very seriously, almost literally. Because these parties are so fundamentalist and polarising in their thinking, they make up a very small portion of the political parties in most democratic systems. Ireland has no serious Hard-Left or Hard-Right parties at present.
Libertarian and Authoritarian
Where the Left-Right scale broadly applies to taxes and socio-economic standing, the Libertarian-Authoritarian Scale deals with how much involvement the government should have in the day to day running of your life. Libertarians generally want less government oversight and Authoritarians want more.
This intervention can manifest in different ways. For instance, the prohibition of Narcotics, Alcohol, or other substances is an Authoritarian policy. Similarly, age limits on the consumption or use of products is authoritarian. Libertarian polices tend to focus more on personal freedoms. Internet anonymity, the right to protest and the right to self defence are all prevalent Libertarian policies.
Most parties aren't described as Authoritarian or Libertarian, however. This is because, in a democracy, most parties tend to employ a mix of both Libertarian and Authoritarian policies. As a result, most parties are actually fairly close together on the spectrum. You only really come across examples of extreme ends of the spectrum in extreme cases.
Dictatorships, absolute monarchies and cults are examples of truly Authoritarian forms of government. In each of these cases, a single leader has near limitless power over their followers/citizens.
There has never really been a proper example of a truly Libertarian government. However political movements like Anarchism claim to be truly Libertarian. Anarchists wish to abolish the state and have unlimited personal freedoms.
This intervention can manifest in different ways. For instance, the prohibition of Narcotics, Alcohol, or other substances is an Authoritarian policy. Similarly, age limits on the consumption or use of products is authoritarian. Libertarian polices tend to focus more on personal freedoms. Internet anonymity, the right to protest and the right to self defence are all prevalent Libertarian policies.
Most parties aren't described as Authoritarian or Libertarian, however. This is because, in a democracy, most parties tend to employ a mix of both Libertarian and Authoritarian policies. As a result, most parties are actually fairly close together on the spectrum. You only really come across examples of extreme ends of the spectrum in extreme cases.
Dictatorships, absolute monarchies and cults are examples of truly Authoritarian forms of government. In each of these cases, a single leader has near limitless power over their followers/citizens.
There has never really been a proper example of a truly Libertarian government. However political movements like Anarchism claim to be truly Libertarian. Anarchists wish to abolish the state and have unlimited personal freedoms.
Populism
Populism, sometimes referred to as "Mass Politics", is the art of agreeing with the general public, even when the public may be misinformed or catagorically incorrect. The reasoning goes that, if you agree with everything the public say then surely some of them will support you/vote for you. Populism is only successful during times of hardship. It has been compared to the political equivalent of the snake oil salesman, promising to solve all of your problems in a few simple steps.
Because Populism is often fueled by outrage, or fear, it can vary wildly across the political spectrum. During economic downturns and recessions, popular opinion tends to swing towards preserving jobs and social spending. This tends to favour hardline left wing parties. Whereas after terrorists attacks, xenophobia becomes much more prevalent, allowing far right parties to capitalise on a Nationalist agenda.
Because Populism is often fueled by outrage, or fear, it can vary wildly across the political spectrum. During economic downturns and recessions, popular opinion tends to swing towards preserving jobs and social spending. This tends to favour hardline left wing parties. Whereas after terrorists attacks, xenophobia becomes much more prevalent, allowing far right parties to capitalise on a Nationalist agenda.
Nationalism
Nationalism is any type of politics that favours a particular Nation or people. This is quite a large area of politics. Everything from showing pride in a national sports team, to declaring your race to be genetically superior fall under the broad umbrella of Nationalism.