WHAT IS POLITICS? cover image

5. How Do We Know What Left and Right Mean? Who’s who on the left and right: 1789-1917

WHAT IS POLITICS?

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Which Definition of Left and Right Makes Sense?

In 19 forty, in the third republic, all political tendencies are allowed representation in government for the first time since the early years of the french revolution. By this time, france is once again a democratic republic with a national assembly where representatives are elected by universal male vote and are organized into political parties. Representatives were seated by party from right to left, on a spectrum, specifically according to their political ideology. The members of the most right wing party sitting on the far right of the chamber, and the representatives from the most left wing party on the far left side of the room. So which definition of left and right makes sense given these seating arrangements? In the market versus the state paradime

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