left and right

The French have given us many great things like good wine and cuisine. Unfortunately they are also responsible for giving us the terms 'left' and 'right' in reference to political affiliations, for this they are to be roundly condemned. The terms arose in the French legislative assembly of the late 18th century. The supporters of the king sat on the right and the radicals sat on the left. We generally use these terms to describe people who support the old order ('right') and people who support a new order ('left') although this defintion is loose at best.

These terms are loose and relativistic, let me illustrate with a brief example. Edmund Burke the great Anglo-Irish philosopher was generally in favour of free market capitalism. This was contrary to the old order and thus at the time Burke was regarded for this and his other views (support for the American Revolution) as a 'left of centre' radical. Today however he is generally regarded as 'right of centre' particularly for his economic ideas.

The terms reveal more about how ideas are regarded at a particular time as opposed to relating anything about the ideas themselves. Our simple brains like nice furrows that have been deeply ploughed by others so we don't have to work. That is why we slip into the 'old left-right debate' whether we are discussing the war on terrorism or how much it costs to fill up the car. The 'left-right debate' is the medium within which politicians, talk radio and many others continue to thrash without getting to a deeper understanding of either issues, ideas or people on any side.

How can we begin to talk beyond left and right? Do we need to rediscover/revolutionize our way of debating ideas with people?

I am reminded of the words of the 13th century Sufi poet, Rumi; 'out beyond the ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field, I’ll meet you there.'

Beyond left and right there is field, will you meet me there?

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left right politics
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