Right or Left?

[Hibernian Verse]

Politically. No middle-ground.

[Geo_1875]

I don't understand the question. Is there a Left any more? With the Lib Dems being the only party with any Socialist leanings and any influence in Westminster can there be a clear Left/Right divide anymore.

[Leicester Fan]

This test may help you decide .http://www.politicalcompass.org/test (http://www.politicalcompass.org/test)

[hibsbollah]

I don't understand the question. Is there a Left any more? With the Lib Dems being the only party with any Socialist leanings and any influence in Westminster can there be a clear Left/Right divide anymore.

Just because a UK mainstream political party doesnt exist that reflects your values, it doesnt mean those values aren't valid.


...and if the Lib Dems have any 'socialist leanings' I'm an englishman:fuming:

[RyeSloan]

Just because a UK mainstream political party doesnt exist that reflects your values, it doesnt mean those values aren't valid.


...and if the Lib Dems have any 'socialist leanings' I'm an englishman:fuming:

I think the comment was not just aimed at mainstream political parties...the share of the vote for Socialist parties in the last general election was miniscule evidenced by the Trade Unionist & Socialist party fielding 41 candidates to receive 12,275 votes in total.

So really it's not just the poster that seems to think these values aren't valid it is possibly pretty much the whole of the British electorate!!


Edit: Interestingly Esther Rantzen received more votes than the 13 Communist and Workers Revolutionary candidates combined!! Long live the revolution!

[One Day Soon]

i don't understand the question. Is there a left any more? with the lib dems being the only party with any socialist leanings and any influence in westminster can there be a clear left/right divide anymore.

wtf?

[hibsbollah]

I think the comment was not just aimed at mainstream political parties...the share of the vote for Socialist parties in the last general election was miniscule evidenced by the Trade Unionist & Socialist party fielding 41 candidates to receive 12,275 votes in total.

So really it's not just the poster that seems to think these values aren't valid it is possibly pretty much the whole of the British electorate!!


Edit: Interestingly Esther Rantzen received more votes than the 13 Communist and Workers Revolutionary candidates combined!! Long live the revolution!

The abject failure of the Left electorally can't be ignored, I agree. But I think the OP was asking how you lean politically, which is a totally different question.

Personally I think the Left's habitual infighting, poor organisation and lack of a credible representation is the main reason left-of-new labour parties don't get more electoral support, but I suspect you'll disagree with that. Certainly independent polling on issues show there is a lot of support for broadly socialist principles in Britain, but theres no credible party to back.

When it appears that Capitalism is the only game in town, a lot of people just abandon organised politics altogether.

I highly recommend this podcast
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/podcasts/2006/12/brief_encounter_tony_benn.html
on the same subject. Its from 2006 but is still very relevant.

[SHODAN]

Left every time. I would never associate myself with the right.

[Removed]

This test may help you decide .http://www.politicalcompass.org/test (http://www.politicalcompass.org/test)

I chose 'Right' before I had looked at the posts then saw your link.

I did it and to say I am surprised is an understatement. I came out the same as Pope Benedict :faf:

Economic Left/Right: -2.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 4.10

Anyone else done this and been surprised?

[One Day Soon]

I chose 'Right' before I had looked at the posts then saw your link.

I did it and to say I am surprised is an understatement. I came out the same as Pope Benedict :faf:

Economic Left/Right: -2.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 4.10

Anyone else done this and been surprised?

No because it is complete ******.

[steakbake]

Right for me, though very much in the centre right. Small government which doesn't get too involved in your life.

I'd like to live in a country where the services and support the government do provide are well run and available to all who need it, but don't come at a disproportionate price to those who manage to live their lives without relying on them.

[Removed]

No because it is complete ******.

:cool2: I was a bit worried there :greengrin

[One Day Soon]

The abject failure of the Left electorally can't be ignored, I agree. But I think the OP was asking how you lean politically, which is a totally different question.

Personally I think the Left's habitual infighting, poor organisation and lack of a credible representation is the main reason left-of-new labour parties don't get more electoral support, but I suspect you'll disagree with that. Certainly independent polling on issues show there is a lot of support for broadly socialist principles in Britain, but theres no credible party to back.

When it appears that Capitalism is the only game in town, a lot of people just abandon organised politics altogether.

I highly recommend this podcast
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/podcasts/2006/12/brief_encounter_tony_benn.html
on the same subject. Its from 2006 but is still very relevant.

These people did more damage to the Labour Party than Margaret Thatcher. They enabled the creation of the SDP, validated the entryism and Trotskyite politics of the Militant Tendency and indulged in one of the most prolonged vanity projects within the Party in its more than 100 year history. If Benn is now the strategic and political guru of the hard left outside Labour then thank God - I hope they imbibe every word, implement it and as a consequence stay well clear of genuine radical democratic left politics. These Lentillista prima donnas had a lot to answer for in the dole queues and on the council estates of 1980s Britain while they lived - as they continue to do now - very comfortable middle class lives cushioned from the consequences of advocating a politics which was never going to be successful, never going to be implemented, and always going to allow Thatcher to do her worst. But then that was never a problem for them because their politics was always more about making themselves feel good than about achieving real change and social justice. Dilettantes right enough.

[IndieHibby]

But then that was never a problem for them because their politics was always more about making themselves feel good than about achieving real change and social justice. Dilettantes right enough.

That describes most of the self-labelled 'progressive left-wingers' I know. Unable to work with the world as it is and unable to think beyond the socialist fantasy they have constructed in their minds-eye... while they continue enjoying their rather priviliged existence.

[One Day Soon]

That describes most of the self-labelled 'progressive left-wingers' I know. Unable to work with the world as it is and unable to think beyond the socialist fantasy they have constructed in their minds-eye... while they continue enjoying their rather priviliged existence.

Many perhaps, but certainly not all.

Anyway if you want real invective you should hear what I feel about those on the right of the political spectrum with their peculiar mix of the the self-flagelatory epsilon semi-morons through to the high end priviledged, elitist, inherited wealth based and not insubstantially racist/phobic toffs. If you think 1066 ended at Hastings have a look at land ownership and the Tory Party. The vast majority of the land and estates seized or created by William the Conqueror and his Norman Barons almost 1000 years ago remain in the hands of their descendants. Billy Bragg recently said in a discussion about fox hunting with hounds that he thought the legislation should stay because it was wrong to take enjoyment from killing an animal and that ".....there is just something about being ordered around by people on horses that I object to. It must be a Norman and Saxon kind of a thing." Not so far from the truth.

[Hibernian Verse]

I chose 'Right' before I had looked at the posts then saw your link.

I did it and to say I am surprised is an understatement. I came out the same as Pope Benedict :faf:

Economic Left/Right: -2.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 4.10

Anyone else done this and been surprised?


Economic Left/Right: -1.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.77

That's about right!

[Hainan Hibs]

- 7.12 on Economic scale on that compass, every other time I had done it I was more centre left, I've been converted into a fully feldged Commie:greengrin

[IndieHibby]

Many perhaps, but certainly not all.

You'll see I took the trouble to use the word 'most', not 'all' :wink:


The vast majority of the land and estates seized or created by William the Conqueror and his Norman Barons almost 1000 years ago remain in the hands of their descendants.

I'd be interested to know more about this, any links?



Billy Bragg recently said in a discussion about fox hunting with hounds that he thought the legislation should stay because it was wrong to take enjoyment from killing an animal and that ".....there is just something about being ordered around by people on horses that I object to. It must be a Norman and Saxon kind of a thing." Not so far from the truth.

Aside from the argument over whether people who manage the land should be free to hunt vermin as they see fit, Bragg's comment in bold is telling, imo.

When has Billy Bragg, or anyone for that matter, ever been 'ordered around' by people on horses? (unless he is a Rangers fan in Manchester)

Or is it that he just objects to 'toffs' generally and so supported the passing of a bitter and pointless piece of legislation which he, presumably, felt would get one back at the upper-classes?

My experience of fox-hunting tells me that most people who are involved are just country-folk, farmers and their workers engaging in a traditional, yet functional activity.

[(((Fergus)))]

Reasonably unbiased, although need to be a touch more lefty/fascist.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/facebook/pcgraphpng.php?ec=0.75&soc=-1.03

[SHODAN]

Here's another one with more american-centric questions: http://www.moral-politics.com/

For the record, I'm a Social Democrat on that test.

[Hibbyradge]

These people did more damage to the Labour Party than Margaret Thatcher. They enabled the creation of the SDP, validated the entryism and Trotskyite politics of the Militant Tendency and indulged in one of the most prolonged vanity projects within the Party in its more than 100 year history. If Benn is now the strategic and political guru of the hard left outside Labour then thank God - I hope they imbibe every word, implement it and as a consequence stay well clear of genuine radical democratic left politics. These Lentillista prima donnas had a lot to answer for in the dole queues and on the council estates of 1980s Britain while they lived - as they continue to do now - very comfortable middle class lives cushioned from the consequences of advocating a politics which was never going to be successful, never going to be implemented, and always going to allow Thatcher to do her worst. But then that was never a problem for them because their politics was always more about making themselves feel good than about achieving real change and social justice. Dilettantes right enough.


Many perhaps, but certainly not all.

Anyway if you want real invective you should hear what I feel about those on the right of the political spectrum with their peculiar mix of the the self-flagelatory epsilon semi-morons through to the high end priviledged, elitist, inherited wealth based and not insubstantially racist/phobic toffs. If you think 1066 ended at Hastings have a look at land ownership and the Tory Party. The vast majority of the land and estates seized or created by William the Conqueror and his Norman Barons almost 1000 years ago remain in the hands of their descendants. Billy Bragg recently said in a discussion about fox hunting with hounds that he thought the legislation should stay because it was wrong to take enjoyment from killing an animal and that ".....there is just something about being ordered around by people on horses that I object to. It must be a Norman and Saxon kind of a thing." Not so far from the truth.

:not worth

[Leicester Fan]

Here's another one with more american-centric questions: http://www.moral-politics.com/

For the record, I'm a Social Democrat on that test.

Your scored 2 on (http://www.moral-politics.com/xpolitics.aspx?menu=Home&action=Test&choice=Long)Moral Order (http://www.moral-politics.com/xPolitics.aspx?menu=Moral_Dimensions&action=Draw&choice=MoralDimensions.Moral_Order) and -4 on Moral Rules (http://www.moral-politics.com/xPolitics.aspx?menu=Moral_Dimensions&action=Draw&choice=MoralDimensions.Moral_Rules)

[Ross4356]

Middle

[Sylar]

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -4.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.67


No real shock to be honest.

[steakbake]

Economic Left/Right: 2.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.10

is today's reading.

[HibsMax]

Left of center. To me there IS middle ground. I typically dislike extremists regardless of which way they lean. I don't limit my thoughts / beliefs based upon a political bias, I base them on what I feel is right.

EDIT: or do you mean which side I dress?

[SHODAN]

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -6.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.08

[Pretty Boy]

Economic Left/Right: -7.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.85

The test is, IMO, a load of nonsense, some of the questions are worded in a very provocative or ambiguous way.

[Pete]

The general public are tied to the ideals of capitalism and the free market.

Why would anyone vote for a socialist party when they have a large mortgage to pay for and the loan to value of their house is always on their mind?

We've lived in the "credit-card" culture for 20 years now. People are always going to want things now and pay for it later, regardless of the consequences even after the "downturn".

Those who pay their taxes see radical examples of how the welfare state is being abused. People who have nothing to contribute are breeding like rats and are getting it all paid for on the social. It doesn't matter how many you have...it's up to the state to support you...while some taxpayers can't afford to have any kids at all.

I love the idea of socialism but I think it's dead when it comes to modern politics and realistic choices. There has to be a massive change in circumstances for it ever to become an option again but I'm not holding my breath. We've just went through the biggest recession in living memory and voting patterns haven't changed towards the left.

I think a lot of people are now apolitical and self-centered and when it comes to values.

[SHODAN]

I think a lot of people are now apolitical and self-centered and when it comes to values.

That's called human nature.

The right wing is the default position of humanity IMO. Number one priority is yourself and your immediate family, and there's nothing wrong with that in many respects. We have however been blessed with free will and complex rational thinking and I choose to be on the left.

[Hibernian Verse]

Left of center. To me there IS middle ground. I typically dislike extremists regardless of which way they lean. I don't limit my thoughts / beliefs based upon a political bias, I base them on what I feel is right.

EDIT: or do you mean which side I dress?

The former, but feel free to let everything out. We're a listening community :greengrin

[HibsMax]

The former, but feel free to let everything out. We're a listening community :greengrin

Actually it doesn't matter, the answer is the same. :)

[The_Todd]

Economic Left/Right: -8.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.67


Seems about right. I beat Gandhi!