A New Conceptualization of the Political Left and Right

One Dimension, Multiple Domains

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6237192
AutoresDevin K Joshi (0000-0003-1531-9367, Singapore Management University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2021
Volumen54
Número3
Páginas534-554
Fecha de publicación2021-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCanadian Journal of Political Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0008-4239 • E-ISSN: 1744-9324
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0008423921000408
OpenAlexW3173330651
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas10
Referencias citadas43

Scholars of the political left-right divide often see equality as the core issue of contention, with the left seeking greater equality than the right. Though partially agreeing with this consensus, I propose a modified left-right conceptualization that offers three novel contributions. First, while accepting the idea of a single fundamental dimension underlying conflict in global politics, I argue the key issue is not necessarilyequalitybut rather the diffusion or concentration ofpowerwithin and across nations, communities and individuals. Second, given the inescapable complexity of politics, I argue in favour of distinguishing between those who seek to de-concentrate power and broaden inclusion (the left) from those advocating for a concentration of power (the right) in specific issue domains. Third, I illustrate the utility of this “one dimension, multiple domains” theoretical framework through a comparative analysis of eight contemporary political parties across the domains of economic, foreign and social policy

Conceptualization · Dimension (graph theory · Economics · Epistemology · Left and right · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Power (physics · Sociology · Computer Science · European Union Policy and Governance · Gender Politics and Representation · Law · Mathematics · Religion and Society Interactions