On the pathological need to divide politics into "right" and

[Old Tyrannia]

It's plain to anyone with a rudimentary understanding of politics that the political "spectrum" doesn't make a lot of sense, but we continue to use it because the terms "left-wing" and "right-wing" are convenient shorthand for the dominant political currents in the contemporary West. Once you move outside those currents, however, and start exploring a wider range of viewpoints, the spectrum quickly becomes inadequate.

[Kelinfort]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_conservatism

I hate this language sometimes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_liberalism

[Fanosolia]

Honestly I identify as a centralist for three reasons:

1: there's honestly some things I agree with left and right (or atleast the wikipedia description) that span multiple ideologies.
2: seems unfair to try to put something like poilitcs in a simplified one dimensional spectrum
3: I just got so confused what was what sometimes I was just like "F IT!"

So personally, It makes more sense, if we must put these in boxes of understanding, go by ideology or even individual policies. One reason for that is that a fiscal Conservative, can support weed as some would argue it as fiscally responsible, and that ideology mostly considered "right wing".

[Infected Mushroom]

If it sounds somewhat socialistic or communistic in any kind of sense... then its left. If it sounds kind of liberal, then its left.

If it sounds like its kind of pro-business and religious, then its right.

This is the general guideline.

[Drury Lane]

I'd say pizza is left wing.

Although the toppings are usually separated into different classes, the classes are generally really close together and usually the organizing person tries to make sure the toppings are spread evenly so the flavor blends together into a single unified tastiness. Usually, the toppings are also put on in no particular order, so it's really more of an accident that there are classes at all, given there is no deliberate attempt by the organizer to maintain a certain class structure.

Yeah, but the whole thing is supported on the back of the poor working crust, so there may be a little right wing disenfranchisement going on there.

Or the crust could represent a nationalized infrastructure, then itd still be left wing.

But then what happens when you order an appetizer of chicken wings with the pizza?
Oh God, the confusion. Do you take what comes, and assimilate the various wings as best you can, or do you demand ideological conformity and disenfranchise maybe half or more of your appetizer?

[Fanosolia]

If it sounds somewhat socialistic or communistic in any kind of sense... then its left. If it sounds kind of liberal, then its left.

If it sounds like its kind of pro-business and religious, then its right.

This is the general guideline.

does that mean classic liberal is centralist?

[Infected Mushroom]

If it sounds somewhat socialistic or communistic in any kind of sense... then its left. If it sounds kind of liberal, then its left.

If it sounds like its kind of pro-business and religious, then its right.

This is the general guideline.

does that mean classic liberal is centralist?

I would say so

(pro business freedoms and pro civil liberties right?)

[Prussia-Steinbach]

So, my country has gotten very politicized lately...

Really? Pretty sure every government's been pretty "politicized" since civilization began.

[Fanosolia]

does that mean classic liberal is centralist?

I would say so

(pro business freedoms and pro civil liberties right?)

I think that's right. "Advocates civil liberties and political freedom with representative democracy under the rule of law and emphasizes economic freedom"
Darn it that is right...

[Calimera II]

So, my country has gotten very politicized lately...

Really? Pretty sure every government's been pretty "politicized" since civilization began.

Government =/= Country

[Infected Mushroom]

I would say so

(pro business freedoms and pro civil liberties right?)

I think that's right. "Advocates civil liberties and political freedom with representative democracy under the rule of law and emphasizes economic freedom"
Darn it that is right...

do they get called left by anyone?

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Really? Pretty sure every government's been pretty "politicized" since civilization began.

Government =/= Country

coun·try
ˈkəntrē
noun
1. a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.

[Fanosolia]

I think that's right. "Advocates civil liberties and political freedom with representative democracy under the rule of law and emphasizes economic freedom"
Darn it that is right...

do they get called left by anyone?

To be honest, when ever I look it up it's almost always right-wing. So i don't know?

[Calimera II]

Government =/= Country

coun·try
ˈkəntrē
noun
1. a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.

So?

government
ˈɡʌv(ə)nˌm(ə)nt,ˈɡʌvəm(ə)nt/
noun
1.
the group of people with the authority to govern a country or state; a particular ministry in office.


Country =/= Government

[Prussia-Steinbach]

coun·try
ˈkəntrē
noun
1. a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.

So?

government
ˈɡʌv(ə)nˌm(ə)nt,ˈɡʌvəm(ə)nt/
noun
1.
the group of people with the authority to govern a country or state; a particular ministry in office.


Country =/= Government

A country has a government, by definition; therefore, every country must be pretty damn "politicized," especially when it is democratic.

[The Great Communist Order of Jute]

...identifying myself as a liberal conservative...

A liberal conservative.

A liberal conservative.

What in the name of all that is good and true is a liberal conservative?

Someone who is center-right. That is, conservative on some issues, and more liberal on other ones (usually economic ones)
Germany has had a lot of liberal-conservative coalition governments.

[The Great Communist Order of Jute]

If it sounds somewhat socialistic or communistic in any kind of sense... then its left. If it sounds kind of liberal, then its left.

If it sounds like its kind of pro-business and religious, then its right.

This is the general guideline.

What about pro-market religious left-wing people?

[Infected Mushroom]

If it sounds somewhat socialistic or communistic in any kind of sense... then its left. If it sounds kind of liberal, then its left.

If it sounds like its kind of pro-business and religious, then its right.

This is the general guideline.

What about pro-market religious left-wing people?

that kind of sounds like a classical liberal... so centre?

[Infected Mushroom]

do they get called left by anyone?

To be honest, when ever I look it up it's almost always right-wing. So i don't know?

I guess if you decide that the economic freedoms component is more decisive than the civil rights axis and deciding left/right... then I guess you could weigh it in favour of the right.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

What about pro-market religious left-wing people?

that kind of sounds like a classical liberal... so centre?

That... makes no sense.

Your interpretation, I mean. You realize leftists, even far leftists, are not inherently opposed to markets?

[Infected Mushroom]

that kind of sounds like a classical liberal... so centre?

That... makes no sense.

Your interpretation, I mean. You realize leftists, even far leftists, are not inherently opposed to markets?

if they want more regulation of the capitalist market, then to me they are at least partly opposed to the free market on balance

[The Great Communist Order of Jute]

What about pro-market religious left-wing people?

that kind of sounds like a classical liberal... so centre?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-wing ... _anarchism
What about those?

[Prussia-Steinbach]

That... makes no sense.

Your interpretation, I mean. You realize leftists, even far leftists, are not inherently opposed to markets?

if they want more regulation of the capitalist market, then to me they are at least partly opposed to the free market on balance

So you are unaware one can be a firmly-planted, hard left-wing socialist while still being in favor of a completely free market.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

that kind of sounds like a classical liberal... so centre?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-wing ... _anarchism
What about those?

*raises hand*

Yep, you've even got one right here.

[Infected Mushroom]

if they want more regulation of the capitalist market, then to me they are at least partly opposed to the free market on balance

So you are unaware one can be a firmly-planted, hard left-wing socialist while still being in favor of a completely free market.

I don't think thats possible.

If you are in favour of large-scale redistribution of wealth, then I think you want too much modification to the allocation of wealth under the market for it to qualify as being in favour of a completely free market.