Friday, April 21, 2006
Left and Right
I grew up believing that the politics of the left tend toward communist totalitarianism and the politics of the right tend toward fascist totalitarianism. I also grew up believing that the fight between the two keeps both sides honest and keeps them from prevailing. As I have grown older, I have decided that this is wrong for at least three reasons.
First, it is wrong because the politics have misunderstood each other. Fascists and communists use the same language. They try to band a whole country or group of countries into one central state, which regulates everything, hence the word totalitarian. They are not polar opposites, but slight variations of the same thing.
Second, it is wrong because history has seen this polarity differently. In World War II, the alliances united governments with "polar" differences. The Soviet Union united with The Third Reich and El Duce and the Emperor of Japan. The Allies included dictatorships, constitutional monarchies, parliaments, republics, later the Soviet Union and more. The point is that there were communists and fascists on both sides, as well as other types of people.
Third, it is wrong from the point of view of current politics. The same mixed bag of alliances are spread across the world on many issues. Just take a look at the people and positions on Iran's nuclear program or China's economic role.
Furthermore, we can critique the hidden motivations, but the modern political language in the West is strangely inverted. In America, the Democrats are promoting more and more socialist programs. Some Republicans are as well. This is a more traditional left. But, President Bush, a "right winger," has done more than any president in my short lifetime to nationalize transportation, healthcare, education, law enforcement, disaster management, immigration, and more. Meanwhile, the Partido Socialista (traditionally left, note the unashamed name Socialist Party) here in Portugal is cutting taxes, privatizing industry, turning government functions more and more local, reducing regulation of businesses and making real cuts in the government budget to reduce the deficit--sounds like Steve Forbes.
Who is the left? Who is the right? I can no longer tell. What is more important to me is that I know what I believe. I will have a greater impact on society by speaking truth with my colleagues than I will ever have by trying to play political games.
First, it is wrong because the politics have misunderstood each other. Fascists and communists use the same language. They try to band a whole country or group of countries into one central state, which regulates everything, hence the word totalitarian. They are not polar opposites, but slight variations of the same thing.
Second, it is wrong because history has seen this polarity differently. In World War II, the alliances united governments with "polar" differences. The Soviet Union united with The Third Reich and El Duce and the Emperor of Japan. The Allies included dictatorships, constitutional monarchies, parliaments, republics, later the Soviet Union and more. The point is that there were communists and fascists on both sides, as well as other types of people.
Third, it is wrong from the point of view of current politics. The same mixed bag of alliances are spread across the world on many issues. Just take a look at the people and positions on Iran's nuclear program or China's economic role.
Furthermore, we can critique the hidden motivations, but the modern political language in the West is strangely inverted. In America, the Democrats are promoting more and more socialist programs. Some Republicans are as well. This is a more traditional left. But, President Bush, a "right winger," has done more than any president in my short lifetime to nationalize transportation, healthcare, education, law enforcement, disaster management, immigration, and more. Meanwhile, the Partido Socialista (traditionally left, note the unashamed name Socialist Party) here in Portugal is cutting taxes, privatizing industry, turning government functions more and more local, reducing regulation of businesses and making real cuts in the government budget to reduce the deficit--sounds like Steve Forbes.
Who is the left? Who is the right? I can no longer tell. What is more important to me is that I know what I believe. I will have a greater impact on society by speaking truth with my colleagues than I will ever have by trying to play political games.
