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[[File:Paris-commune-liberty-on-the-barricades.jpg|thumb|Depiction of the [[Paris Commune]], one of the first instance of the [[Proletarian|working class]] revolutionary movement gaining power.]] | [[File:Paris-commune-liberty-on-the-barricades.jpg|thumb|Depiction of the [[Paris Commune]], one of the first instance of the [[Proletarian|working class]] revolutionary movement gaining power.]] | ||
'''Leftism''' | '''Leftism''' is a broad grouping of ideological tendencies which seek to alter and advance past the given socio-economic and political status quo in favor of a more egalitarian arrangement. In a modern context, leftist politics centers around the abolition of [[capitalism]] in favor of [[socialism]] and [[Communism (mode of production)|communism]]. Modern leftists also oppose the [[Rightism|ideological forces]] in support of capitalism, including [[liberalism]] and [[fascism]]. | ||
== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
The terms ''left-wing'' and ''leftism'' are derived from the [[French Revolution]], when the more progressive, egalitarian political factions were seated on the left-side of the assembly whereas the reactionary factions sat on the right-wing.<ref>[[wikt:left-wing|"left-wing"]] ''Wiktionary''</ref> | The terms ''left-wing'' and ''leftism'' are derived from the [[French Revolution]], when the more progressive, egalitarian political factions were seated on the left-side of the assembly whereas the reactionary factions sat on the right-wing.<ref>[[wikt:left-wing|"left-wing"]] ''Wiktionary''</ref> | ||
== Tendencies == | |||
===Marxism=== | |||
{{Main|Marxism}} | |||
Marxism, or scientific socialism, is one of the foremost left-wing tendencies. It was first developed by [[Karl Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels]] in the 19th century. The component parts of Marxism are [[British]] [[political economy]], [[French]] [[utopian socialism]], and [[German]] [[dialectical]] [[philosophy]]. Since its foundations, Marxism has been developed by various theorists into new forms, including [[Leninism]] and [[Maoism]].<ref>Vladimir Lenin (1913). [[Library:The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism|''The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism'']].</ref> | |||
====Leninism==== | |||
{{Main|Marxism–Leninism}} | |||
Leninism, known fully as Marxism–Leninism, is the development of Marxist principles into the age of [[imperialism]] and [[socialist revolution]]. Leninism expands on Marxist theory with new concepts such as [[vanguardism]], an analysis of [[imperialism]] as the final stage of capitalism, and a more detailed understanding of the [[state]] as an organ of class oppression.<ref>Joseph Stalin (1924). ''[[Library:Foundations of Leninism|Foundations of Leninism]] – Introduction'' | |||
<br><br>''"Leninism is Marxism of the era of imperialism and the proletarian revolution. To be more exact, Leninism is the theory and tactics of the proletarian revolution in general, the theory and tactics of the dictatorship of the proletariat in particular. Marx and Engels pursued their activities in the pre-revolutionary period (we have the proletarian revolution in mind), when developed imperialism did not yet exist, in the period of the proletarians’ preparation for revolution, in the period when the proletarian revolution was not yet an immediate practical inevitability. But Lenin, the disciple of Marx and Engels, pursued his activities in the period of developed imperialism, in the period of the unfolding proletarian revolution, when the proletarian revolution had already triumphed in one country, had smashed bourgeois democracy and had ushered in the era of proletarian democracy, the era of the Soviets."'' | |||
<br><br>''"That is why Leninism is the further development of Marxism."''</ref> | |||
====Maoism==== | |||
{{Main|Maoism}} | |||
Maoism, known in full as Marxism–Leninism–Maoism, is a development of Marxism–Leninism which takes the theory of [[Mao Zedong]] and other theorists and develops it into a universal revolutionary framework. Maoism was synthesized by [[Chairman Gonzalo]] in the late 20th century and introduces many new concepts to Marxist theory, including [[bureaucrat capitalism]], the centrality of the [[law of contradiction]], [[protracted people's war]], and so forth.<ref>[[Library:On Marxism–Leninism–Maoism|''On Marxism–Leninism–Maoism'']] (1988).</ref> | |||
===Anarchism=== | |||
{{Main|Anarchism}} | |||
Anarchism is a [[libertarian socialist]] tendency which espouses opposition to all forms of hierarchy and authority and which seeks the total and immediate abolition of the state. Anarchism upholds theory and practice premised on [[spontaneity]] and a rejection of nearly all forms of revolutionary organization, including the necessity for a vanguard party. | |||
====Communist anarchism==== | |||
{{Main|Anarcho-communism}} | |||
Anarcho-communism is an anarchist sub-ideology which seeks to create a [[Communism|communistic society]] in the immediate aftermath of a socialist revolution, using institutions such as a [[gift economy]]. One of the most popular proponents of anarchist communism was [[Peter Kropotkin]], who formalized many aspects of this tendency in his book ''[[The Conquest of Bread]]''. Anarcho-communism broadly emphasizes [[Commune|communalism]] and localized economic distribution. | |||
====Collectivist anarchism==== | |||
{{Main|Collectivist anarchism}} | |||
Anarcho-collectivism is a tendency inspired by the works of [[Mikhail Bakunin|Michael Bakunin]] and [[James Guillaume]] with additional influence from [[Proudhonian economics]]. It puts emphasis on workers' autonomy and holds that the exchange of goods between communities should be determined based on the cost of labor established by communal banks. Other anarchists have described this variant as a ''limited'' form of anarchist communism.<ref>Jeff Stein (1992). ''[https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/jeff-stein-the-collectivist-tradition The Collectivist Tradition]''. ''Libertarian Labor Review, from'' ''the Anarchist Library''. </ref> | |||
====Syndicalism==== | |||
{{Main|Anarcho-syndicalism}} | |||
Anarcho-syndicalism is a sub-variety of anarchism involving organizing revolutionary [[Trade union|trade unions]] that will lead a [[general strike]] in order to overthrow capitalism and the state, and will form the basis for a socialist society. | |||
==Analysis== | |||
===Categorization=== | |||
====Far-left==== | |||
{{Hatnote|Not to be confused with [[ultra-leftism]], or tendencies which erroneously present themselves as far-left.}} | |||
The political '''far-left''', or '''radical left''', are the most revolutionary and transformative positions within leftism. Far-left tendencies seek a social revolution to transform the existing social order into a new, utterly distinct one which is more equal and just than the last. Far-left ideologies are commonly considered to include Marxism and anarchism. | |||
====Center-left==== | |||
{{Hatnote|See also: [[Reformism]]}} | |||
The political '''center-left''', or '''moderate left''', refers to tendencies which seek gradual reform and small adjustments to the existing social order without a revolution or rapture from the old society. Center-left tendencies ultimately benefit the existing form of society and are ineffectual for true social change. The most prominent center-left tendencies include [[social democracy]] and [[democratic socialism]]. | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Revolution]] | * [[Revolution]] | ||
* [[Communism]] | * [[Communism]] | ||
* [[Progress]] | |||
* [[Socialism]] | * [[Socialism]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:37, 17 July 2025
Leftism is a broad grouping of ideological tendencies which seek to alter and advance past the given socio-economic and political status quo in favor of a more egalitarian arrangement. In a modern context, leftist politics centers around the abolition of capitalism in favor of socialism and communism. Modern leftists also oppose the ideological forces in support of capitalism, including liberalism and fascism.
Etymology
The terms left-wing and leftism are derived from the French Revolution, when the more progressive, egalitarian political factions were seated on the left-side of the assembly whereas the reactionary factions sat on the right-wing.[1]
Tendencies
Marxism
Marxism, or scientific socialism, is one of the foremost left-wing tendencies. It was first developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 19th century. The component parts of Marxism are British political economy, French utopian socialism, and German dialectical philosophy. Since its foundations, Marxism has been developed by various theorists into new forms, including Leninism and Maoism.[2]
Leninism
Leninism, known fully as Marxism–Leninism, is the development of Marxist principles into the age of imperialism and socialist revolution. Leninism expands on Marxist theory with new concepts such as vanguardism, an analysis of imperialism as the final stage of capitalism, and a more detailed understanding of the state as an organ of class oppression.[3]
Maoism
Maoism, known in full as Marxism–Leninism–Maoism, is a development of Marxism–Leninism which takes the theory of Mao Zedong and other theorists and develops it into a universal revolutionary framework. Maoism was synthesized by Chairman Gonzalo in the late 20th century and introduces many new concepts to Marxist theory, including bureaucrat capitalism, the centrality of the law of contradiction, protracted people's war, and so forth.[4]
Anarchism
Anarchism is a libertarian socialist tendency which espouses opposition to all forms of hierarchy and authority and which seeks the total and immediate abolition of the state. Anarchism upholds theory and practice premised on spontaneity and a rejection of nearly all forms of revolutionary organization, including the necessity for a vanguard party.
Communist anarchism
Anarcho-communism is an anarchist sub-ideology which seeks to create a communistic society in the immediate aftermath of a socialist revolution, using institutions such as a gift economy. One of the most popular proponents of anarchist communism was Peter Kropotkin, who formalized many aspects of this tendency in his book The Conquest of Bread. Anarcho-communism broadly emphasizes communalism and localized economic distribution.
Collectivist anarchism
Anarcho-collectivism is a tendency inspired by the works of Michael Bakunin and James Guillaume with additional influence from Proudhonian economics. It puts emphasis on workers' autonomy and holds that the exchange of goods between communities should be determined based on the cost of labor established by communal banks. Other anarchists have described this variant as a limited form of anarchist communism.[5]
Syndicalism
Anarcho-syndicalism is a sub-variety of anarchism involving organizing revolutionary trade unions that will lead a general strike in order to overthrow capitalism and the state, and will form the basis for a socialist society.
Analysis
Categorization
Far-left
The political far-left, or radical left, are the most revolutionary and transformative positions within leftism. Far-left tendencies seek a social revolution to transform the existing social order into a new, utterly distinct one which is more equal and just than the last. Far-left ideologies are commonly considered to include Marxism and anarchism.
Center-left
The political center-left, or moderate left, refers to tendencies which seek gradual reform and small adjustments to the existing social order without a revolution or rapture from the old society. Center-left tendencies ultimately benefit the existing form of society and are ineffectual for true social change. The most prominent center-left tendencies include social democracy and democratic socialism.
See also
References
- ↑ "left-wing" Wiktionary
- ↑ Vladimir Lenin (1913). The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism.
- ↑ Joseph Stalin (1924). Foundations of Leninism – Introduction
"Leninism is Marxism of the era of imperialism and the proletarian revolution. To be more exact, Leninism is the theory and tactics of the proletarian revolution in general, the theory and tactics of the dictatorship of the proletariat in particular. Marx and Engels pursued their activities in the pre-revolutionary period (we have the proletarian revolution in mind), when developed imperialism did not yet exist, in the period of the proletarians’ preparation for revolution, in the period when the proletarian revolution was not yet an immediate practical inevitability. But Lenin, the disciple of Marx and Engels, pursued his activities in the period of developed imperialism, in the period of the unfolding proletarian revolution, when the proletarian revolution had already triumphed in one country, had smashed bourgeois democracy and had ushered in the era of proletarian democracy, the era of the Soviets."
"That is why Leninism is the further development of Marxism." - ↑ On Marxism–Leninism–Maoism (1988).
- ↑ Jeff Stein (1992). The Collectivist Tradition. Libertarian Labor Review, from the Anarchist Library.