The origins of the terms "right" and "left" in politcs. Where did the ideas come from?

[Stuart G]

Last edited Thu Apr 30, 2015, 09:27 AM - Edit history (1)

The idea of a political "left" and "right" originated during the French Revolution. (1789) Simply put, those in favor of change and getting rid of the king and his structure, sat on the left side of the assembly..The stronger you were with the king's way of doing things ,and keeping things exactly the same, the more "right" you were.
.. Also, those who were in favor of changes toward democracy allowing others to rule, (like had occurred within the new United States in 1776) and having an open government, also sat on the left side of the assembly. The more in favor of change, the more left you were. That is the origin of the political terms, "left" and "right"

I am proud to be a "leftist" in favor of "open" government and inclusion in the process of the most people possible.

The more people that vote, the better. The more we know about the government, the better. No secret deals. Everyone gets treated as fair as possible.

Those in the government do not get any kind special treatment. All people in the country get..."fair and equal treatment" The leaders friends get the same treatment as the poorest people in the country...

[brush]

2. Your wording seems to be off

"those in favor of change and getting rid of the king and his structure, sat on the right side of the assembly."

Shouldn't that read "sat on the left side of the assembly", according to your premise?

[Recursion]

3. The King faces the assembly

So it's his "left".

[deutsey]

5. I think you're right...I mean, "correct"

Simply put, those in favor of change and getting rid of the king and his structure, sat on the right side of the assembly..The stronger you were with the king's way of doing things, the more "right" you were. Conversely, those who were in favor of changes toward democracy allowing others to rule, and had occurred within the new United States in 1776) and having an open government, sat on the left side of the assembly. The more in favor of change, the more left you were. That is the origin of the political terms, "left" and "right"

It might be that it's early in the morning and I'm just not fully awake yet, but the OP seems to be inadvertently saying the same thing about the "left" and "right": that they favored change, getting rid of the monarchy, and moving toward wider democracy.

[Stuart G]

7. No, you are correct. It was not clear..and I would like to say this also:

A couple of years ago, I stopped using the word right. Instead, I use correct as you pointed out in your post.

I hate the word right for what they stand for. Correct is a better word for me, and that is the way I feel. Thank you!
I am not the only one.

[deutsey]

8. I cringe a little even when I'm giving someone driving directions to "turn right"

And thanks for bringing up the origins of "left" and "right". I think people throw those words around too easily and don't know what they actually mean.

[Stuart G]

9. We are in a special club..anti-right club...thanks for your comments

I am glad I am not alone..

[Recursion]

4. Noah Millman (I know, I know) put it an interesting way

The divide between "right" and "left" is about whether you think government should be aligned with society's "winners" or society's "losers".

Separate from that, the divide between "conservative" and "progressive" is about whether you think change should be met by adapting existing institutions or creating new ones.

By that taxonomy I'm a conservative leftist.