Comprehending Concepts Of Left And Right

In normal jargon, the left and right spectrum has been considered as a system of classifying political stand of left right politics, ideologies and parties with an emphasis placed upon issues of social equality and social hierarchy, respectively. On this sort of political spectrum, left-wing politics and right-wing politics often presented as opposed each other. However, particular individual or group may take either left- or right-wing instance depending on the political dogma of discussion. Likewise, some stances may overlap and be considered either left wing or right wing depending on the ideology. Here an attempt is made to clarify leftism, whether it is communism or any other spectrum of political ideology.

Communism originated from Latin word ‘communis’, meaning common or belonging to all. It is a social, political economic as well as philosophical ideology directed towards establishing the communist society. Its ultimate goal is to create socio-economic order cantered around common ownership of the means of production and distribution as well. This political theory advocates the elimination of private property, which is based on Marxian socialism and Leninism. Under the communist system, a single party controls all state-owned means of production. In a final stage of society, the state is supposed to wither away and economic goods are distributed to all subjects equitably. 

Classless society

In the beginning, the word ‘communism’ was used interchangeably with socialism. Karl Marx’s theory of revolutionary socialism aims to overthrow the capital structure and establish a classless society. In a capitalist society, a situation of class struggle exists because labourers are exploited due to the unjustifiable distribution of their labour cost. Owners always take excessive profit based on surplus value i.e. equal to the new value created by workers in excess of their own labour-cost, which is appropriated by the capitalist as profit when products are sold. This is the main source of class struggle between few numbers of owners and exploited labourers of excessive majority. Majority exploited labourers or proletariats get victory over minority class of owners. The proletariat class finally take over the capitalist system through the violent means of revolution. 

As a political system, communism shares certain ideology which includes greater equality in all sorts of distribution of income. This ideology outright rejects capitalistic forms of economic system instead of giving economic power to the working class through revolution. In reality communist systems have not been successful yet in all parts of the globe. However, they claim communism is for the people and is working for the welfare of the general people at large. 

Leftism and communism are separate political principles. Sometimes these two are used as a synonym. To be clear about the term ‘left’, we have to go back to the era of French revolution. During the period of French Revolution (1789-1799), two political parties were originated having separate agenda of giving power to the king and establishment of republican state, respectively. Eastern General (French Parliament) was called to discuss and take decisions. Monarchists and those in favour of radical change were designated to seat on the right and left row of the parliament respectively. Since then the concept of left has been widely used in the politics.

In France, where the terms originated, the left has been called "the party of movement" and the right "the party of order". Communism believes in revolution while leftism aims to achieve socialism through gradual and democratic means. Both communism and leftism try to establish socialism and advocate public control of the means of production although socialism, advocated by the leftist, allows for the continued existence of capitalism in some parts of the economy. Karl Marx said communism or socialism has nothing to do with left or right. Leftist may be both communist and democrat. It does not only comprise communism. 

Some examples of the leftist can be cited in the global politics. Labour Party of Britain, SPD of Germany and Socialist Party of France are leftist by nature of their performances. Congress (I), Aam Aadami Party, Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxism) have proved themselves as reformist forces. Former Labour leader of UK Jeremy Corbyn and the US leader Hillary Clinton could be included as progressive politicians. Leftists, democrats, and communists can go together for the betterment of the nation. Hence, leftist or left is a broad term used by both socialists and communists. 

All reformists and progressive politicians are categorised as leftist. Leftism is a much broader term that includes a huge range of policies that may include communism but does not require it. If rightists are not effective to protect the rights of the people and have been quite unable to safeguard the welfare of the general mass of population, leftists get their agenda for improvements. In this sense leftists are highly democrats. Clear-cut difference between leftism and communism is that leftism is a belief in the principle of left-wing politics but communism is a political ideology that stresses state control of all production productivity and national assets. 

National interest

In all forms of political principles, leftism would go further if those principles and ideologies are directed to safeguard the national interest and welfare of the citizens. Social justice followed by equity principles and modern philosophies of democracy are the agenda of the left political force. It flourishes in the transparency and an environment of refracted democratic set-up where democratic institutions are highly institutionalised. Vigorous efforts require to be done for the betterment of the state affairs if there is clear absence of democratic practices including the presence of absolute communism. 

Liberal communism with democratic spirit, socialism, democracy, and leftism would go further simultaneously. Modern leftism further applies to broad social policies that are not necessarily economic in nature. Briefly, a real communist has no or very little in common with a leftist. It can be said unequivocally that leftism does not absolutely fit either with communism or with the democracy. 

(Mainali is former secretary of the government)