Do you know the origin of the left-right divide in politics?

[Julie4]

Many people think that the use of this term dates back to the French Revolution.

The right-left cleavage really starts when what will be the great French problem of the XIXth century, namely the alternative republic/monarchy, is settled. It emerged from the debate on the heritage of the French Revolution. For or against the Revolution, and which Revolution, 1789 or 1793? The right-left spectrum is defined according to the answer to these questions

The symbolic division of 1789 was founded retrospectively in the 1830s by historians to entrench a cleavage that was in the process of being established, whereas it had only had a marginal existence during the Revolution. Even during the most radical episode of the Revolution, the Jacobin dictatorship between June 1793 and July 1794, the cleavage had no practical role. It is not the language of the actors. It was not until the advent of parliamentarianism under the Restoration, from 1815, that a relationship was established between parliamentary language and electoral options. This idea of cleavage was foreign to the revolutionaries, because they did not conceive of the assembly system as representing the division of opinions in society.

The French Revolution was made in the name of a very strong idea of the individual against groups and corporations. It is thus constitutively opposed to the parties. This will lead under the Directory to draw by lot the place of the deputies, precisely to avoid any type of grouping!

[nightdrot]

Quick answer: Yes, I knew that. (Although you could actually trace the pedigree of the ideas that inspired the French Revolution further back in time - all the way to ancient Greece.)

That said, you knew I knew that.

Hope you are well.

[Julie4]

Hi , forgive me I didn't have the courage to go back to Ancient Greece 😅

I am fine thank you very much, and how are you and your family? 😊

[nightdrot]

Nothing to forgive. We'll just overlook it this time. (Yes, that was a joke and I would use an emoji if I had the faintest idea of how to use one.)

As to the rest, we are doing fine. Now that the Georgia special election is over my life is starting to return to some semblance of normality. Just in time for Christmas, of course.

can't WAIT for Spring!!

Take care!!

[loveslongnails]

I can only answer about the "modern era". The idea of "no compromises" was re- initiated and fueled by Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999, and author of such trash as "Understanding Trump' (2017). He pushed the idea that compromising meant you were weak and afraid to stand up for your morals, position, blah, blah, blah. This was nothing new, but it circles back around throughout the history of Congress.

He disregarded the fact that in order to get things done in government, that's what you do, and set up an atmosphere of complete partisanship. If you didn't control both houses and the Presidency, you stonewalled the opposition no matter what they did, even if it might have been beneficial. He perpetuated the thought that "if it wasn't OUR idea, it can't be a good idea".

He's a real dickhead, and Ron DeSantis takes a lot from his playbook and adds his own dystopian visions to it.

[Msputiton]

It actually goes even further back than that.

America actually copied the ancient romans politics from before they were a kingdom. They were called the Optimates and Populares. And not surprising they were just as cutthroat towards eachother as we are today in America. In fact the in fighting from the two parties created the perfect opportunity for ceasar to start the civil war. Because of the hostility between the two parties he knew if one side would choose to war with him the other would choose to take his side.

But from what i remember the ancient romans copied their political style from ancient greeks.

[A_Bell]

It started when Ug hit Gog with his club after losing the election for first Caveman President and refused to conceed.

[KostasKouvalis]

It started under Obama because him and his racist wife, especially his racist wife, where encouraging gays and their black brothers and sisters to rise up against "White opression". Before Obama, Liberals were much nicer and more open-minded, tollarant and moderate. They were much closer to the kind of Liberalism that exists in many European and Middle Eastern/South Asian countries.

They didn't start to become radical and hateful until Obama. The Clintons for example used to be very moderate, and I actually thought Bill was an okay president. The Obamas radicalized the Liberal party and resurrected Black Nationalist ideology.

[MCheetah]

I thought it was billionaires using politics to Divide and Conquer society?

Or, I thought you were referring to how in the past, the young liberals would literally sit in the left side seats of town hall meetings, and the old conservatives would sit in the right side seats.

Anyway, neat story.

[genericname85]

yes. the origin is in politics themself. they create a divide so they have a reason to exist. devide and conquer. if everyone was at peace with each other, politicians would be out of work, so they make sure people aren't in peace with each other.

[JamesDiaz11]

Being as I have an MA in political science (yea, frivolous, I know, but it was an exercise in vanity after I completed my MBA), I would answer in the affirmative.

[Sixgunsound]

So far as I have been able to determine you are correct.

[exitseven]

I always thought it started in the 60s during the vietnam war era.

[RyanEC]

I knew some of the details but not all.
Thanks for your insight.

[Julie4]

No problem 😊

[pizzalovershouse]

Nope I didn't

[greenice27]

Yes I know

[Jennz6]

Nope