Traditional Ranges of Political Views: Far Left to Middle to Far Right

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Terms

Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language

communism

“2. a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.”

communist

“1. (cap.) a member of the Communist party or movement. 2. an advocate of communism. 3. a person who is regarded as supporting politically leftist or subversive causes.”

socialist

“1. an advocate or supporter of socialism. 2. (cap.) a member of the U.S. Socialist party.”

radical

“1. of or going to the root or origin; fundamental; a radical difference. 2. thorough-going or extreme, esp. as regards change from accepted or traditional forms . . . 3. favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms … ”

left wing

“1. members of a liberal or radical political party, or those favoring extensive political reform.”

liberal

“1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.”

middle-of-the-road

“1. favoring, following, or characterized by an intermediate position between two extremes, esp. in politics; moderate.”

conservative

“1. disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.”

right wing

“1. members of a conservative or reactionary political party, or those opposing extensive political reform.”

reactionary

“1. of, pertaining to, being marked by, or favoring reaction, esp. extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change. 2. a reactionary person.”

fascist

“1. a person who believes in or sympathizes with fascism. 2. (often cap.) a member of a fascist movement or party. 3. a person who is dictatorial or has extreme right-wing views. … [1915-20]”

[The right-wing Fascist movement grew during the worldwide Great Depression of the 1930s. The US fought these nations – Germany (Hitler) and Italy (Mussolini) as well as Japan – in World War II.]

fascism

“1. … a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.”

 


 

Copyright C. J. Bibus, Ed.D. 2004

 

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