We all are a people of the same Nation and some times part of the same family but our views fall at different points on the political spectrum. Some like RSS, some dislike them, some like PM Modi and some look at him with disdain, some like Gandhiji, some detest him and so on.
The Likes and Dislikes are not only about the personalities involved or the work they did or did not do but I noticed, that the differences are more to do with our beliefs and due to our differing world view. For instance some look at the world through the prism of Religion ; Islam, Christian , Hindu and so on. I am sure on whats app many would have seen this message ; “ Socho zara Isaayion( Christians) key 140 desh hain, musalmanon key 50 aur hindyuon key sirf ek, agar hinduyon ka nuksaan huya to weh kahan jaayengey...Jago Hinduon". Little knowing that Russia and Ukraine fighting for almost last one year are both Christian nations and both Iran and Iraq who fought almost a decade were Muslim nations.
Any ways while going deeper into this subject of Likes / Dislikes, world view and various aspects of our political life, we come across these terms; LEFT – RIGHT and Centre.
It intrigued me Why are RSS and BJP called Rightists and Communists as Leftists and Congress – Centrists. Is there similar typification of Political parties in USA, UK, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other Nations.
Its natural for someone who has not done MA in ENTIRE POLITCAL SCIENCE to ask why do left and right signal different ends of a political spectrum?
The disagreements are easily noticeable ; what the leftists like – the rightists hate and vice versa.
How it started.
The beginning of this typification ; Left and Right is very interesting.
Patrice Higonnet, a professor emeritus of French history at Harvard University explained that this TYPIFICATION began from France. In 1789 when French Revolution was picking up steam and angry mobs facing economic hardships wanted reforms and had just stormed the Bastile fort, the tensions rose in France between reformists and conservatives. The National assembly was debating to write a new Constitution, but it found itself divided on One major issue - how much power the king should have. Obviously, the Reformists did not want King to have absolute power of Veto whereas the Conservative members wanted King to enjoy absolute veto power.
As the debate continued, those who thought the king should have an absolute veto sat on the Right of the president of the assembly, and those who thought King should not have Veto power— sat on the left of the president of the assembly.
In other words, those who were Conservatives and wanted to remain closer to tradition were on the Right, and those who wanted change i.e. The Reformists were on the Left.
So these groupings became known as the left and the right, and It became popular quickly as these terms were used in the newspapers reporting on the national assembly. Moreover as French revolution was an inspiration for many such revolutions in other countries , these categroisations spread all over.
Thus, when the Bolsheviks drawing inspiration from French revolution stood against the Czar in Russia and brought about a Revolution in Russia in 1917, they were called as Leftists and so Communists got the name ; Leftists.
Hence, one can state that Rightists are Orthodox, Conservatives and Leftists are Reformers. However, over a period of time Leftists also became as Rigid as Rightists.
So, ostensibly, when there is Left and Right, there ought to be CENTRIST
The term CENTRIST also originated from France and it basically implies - a political outlook or position involving acceptance or support of a balance of Social Equality and a degree of Social hierarchy so as to oppose RADICAL political changes that can cause a significant shift of society strongly towards Left or Right.
Thus one can safely state that a CENTRIST does a Balancing act saving a society to drift towards Orthodoxy, Conservatism, Obscurantism so that a common man does not become a tool in the hands of Church, Maulana or a Brahmin Priest and at the same time also ensures that the Society is saved from Class conflicts.
Now obviously one can have further categorisations/ typifications like ; Left of center or Right of center and so on.
Besides the LEFT- RIGHT AND CENTER There is also one more term often used ; The Liberals.
The Rightists often hold them with disdain. Who are they ? and what do they stand for ? and how this term has originated ?.
Liberalism is a philosophy a belief which stands for rights of individual, equality; political, social and equality before the law. The Liberal supports market economy, individual rights, liberal democracy , rule of the law and so the natural fall out of this will be that he will support Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Religion.
Liberalists have worked to replace the hereditary privileges of Monarchs/Elites, worked against Absolute Monarchy, state religion, divine rights of kings and traditional conservatism. In yester years it was common in all countries that the Kings were assigned by Priests ; Church, Brahmin pundits and monks to have Divine powers to rule. In Japan the King was called as Emepror of Heaven and hold him to be the direct descendant of the sun goddess whereas in India we had Chandravanshi and Suryavanshis.
The Leaders who threw the Kings and Monarchy and brought freedom to their people in British Glorious Revolution in 1688, American Revolution of 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789 used the Liberal Philosophy to justify the overthrow of Monarchy.
Undoubtedly, the Rightists i.e the Conservatives all over the world, particularly in Islamic countries fear the Liberals because the Liberals stand for individual freedom, rule of law, equality and democracy. All over the world it were the Liberals who opposed racial discrimination, stood for women rights, civil rights and advocated universal suffrage and universal access to education. Whereas, the Rightists all over the world speak the same language ; Our traditions, our ancient culture, our Rishi-Munis and so on.
History.
Now when we look at the History of human civilisation holistically, we would notice there were always such elements in the society who tried their best to uphold the rights of Tribal chief, Kings and Queens, Priests, encouraged Hereditary rights and preached importance of traditions and rituals. In short, they would not allow any reforms in the society.
Socrates was poisoned, Galileo was imprisoned by church, and we still have numerous in India who upheld/uphold teachings of Manu. As late as 1950s we had Rightists who did not wish to grant women property inheritance rights and quoted Manu’s laws. So, the Indian women who are now enjoying property inheritance rights and have got rid of evils like sati etc must thank the Liberals like Nehru, Dr Ambedkar, Raja Ram Mohun Roy etc.
Thus, those who poisoned Socrates were Conformists/ Conservatives, those who insisted that Sun moves around Earth were conservatives, those Maulanas and Brahmins and Priests who stick to religious dogmas are conservatives and those who upheld casteism, sati system were Conformists/ Conservatists and so they were the …..Rightists. Those who pushed the world into a Global war were Rightists; Hitler and Mussolini.
On the other hand, those who forced the Kings to give up power were the Liberals, those who opposed Apartheid and Racial discrimination and casteism were Liberals, those who brought democracy and universal suffrage (right of all adults to vote in political elections) and those who ended the monopoly of Brahmins over education were Liberals.
Conclusion.
Now I am sure, we all can easily decide - What the Leftists and Liberals gave to the mankind and what have the Rightists given and take a call Where We stand ; A Conservative, Orthodox Rightist who kept saying ; MAHARAJ KI JAI HO and kept doing acts in accordance to what is written in the religious texts hundreds of years ago without questioning their efficacy or are a Proud Liberal who brought about Reforms and made Human civilisation progressive or a Centerist who does a Balancing act.
Once we understand this Spectrum many such historical disputes ; Gandhi vs Godse or Gandhi vs Savarkar or Nehru vs Hindumahasabha would become clear.