Historic Origins of Right/Left

The terms Right and Left refer to political affiliations which originated early in the French Revolutionary era of 1789-1796, and referred originally to the seating arrangements in the various legislative bodies of France. The aristocracy sat on the right of the Speaker (traditionally the seat of honor) and the commoners sat on the Left, hence the terms Right-wing politics and Left-wing politics.
Originally, the defining point on the ideological spectrum was the ancien régime ("old order"). "The Right" thus implied support for aristocratic or royal interests, and the church, while "The Left" implied support for republicanism, secularism and civil liberties.[2] Because the political franchise at the start of the revolution was relatively narrow, the original "Left" represented mainly the interests of the bourgeoisie, the rising capitalist class. At that time, support for laissez-faire capitalism and Free markets were counted as being on the left; today in most Western countries these views would be characterized as being on the Right.
As the franchise expanded over the next several years, it became clear that there was something to the left of that original "Left": the precursors of socialism and communism, advocating the interests of workers and peasants.[citation needed]
Wikipedia

Nice thread.

Do you also subscribe to the classic "opposing forces" ?

By that I mean the simple yes or no to some point of view and the contrast in-between we call the grey area?

No agenda here just chatting.

yeah too bad we dont live in the 1790's!

This isn't really your argument is it? Tell me, if you could choose a period of time - say a decade - from American history when would you choose as how America should be?

mame said:

yeah too bad we dont live in the 1790's!

This isn't really your argument is it? Tell me, if you could choose a period of time - say a decade - from American history when would you choose as how America should be?

Click to expand...

What is it with you? I didn't realize I was making an argument for anything. I found this article and thought it was interesting. Got a chip on your shoulder? Nothing before yesterday means anything, does it?

Ernst said:

Nice thread.

Do you also subscribe to the classic "opposing forces" ?

By that I mean the simple yes or no to some point of view and the contrast in-between we call the grey area?

No agenda here just chatting.

Click to expand...

I didn't know I was "subscribing" to anything. I found this article and thought it was interesting. As to your question, I don't know what you mean.

Oh subscribe.
You may have noticed I like arcane words.

I read a phrase some time ago to define ones bent. That one believes is one thing that one subscribes is another.

Let me look for a better definition as to how I use that term.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/subscribe Number three is the define I meant.

For example I like pro people laws so I subscribe to the left leaning ideologies.

I was hinting at the concept of opposing forces like Yin and Yang, Dark and Light.... Left and Right.

I would have aimed my other replies at our American politicos of Rich and poor, Corporate and Private, if we went there.

I remember the British have a left and right as well in what Parliament?