Ultra-leftism

For the particular ultra-left tendency, see left communism. "Ultra" redirects here. For extremist supporters of capitalism, see far-right.

Ultra-leftism (whose proponents are known as ultras) refers to tendencies which, although presenting themselves as leftist, result in the weakening of the revolutionary movement through praxis disconnected from the masses, effectively making them rightist in their practical deeds. Ultra-leftists commonly advocate terrorism and adventurism, engage in dogmatism, deny the need for compromise, and embark on premature revolutionary actions which have the result of alienating the people from the movement.

Instances of ultra-leftist movements include "left" communism, Trotskyism, and libertarian Marxism. Ultra-leftism is distinguished from ultra-rightism, or right-opportunism, which seeks to distort revolutionary theory to tail the backwards segments of the masses.

See also

• Left-opportunism
• Terrorism
  • Propaganda of the deed
• Adventurism

Further reading

• “Left-Wing” Communism: An Infantile Disorder, by Vladimir Lenin (1920)