Tracing the historical roots of left and right political divisions to the French Revolution, the chapter explores how the seating arrangement in the National Assembly shaped ideological categorizations. It discusses the shift from traditional economic divides to modern openness versus closedness dynamics, illustrating this change through political movements like the Tea Party and figures like Donald Trump. Emphasizing the global nature of openness, the chapter also touches on geopolitical decisions, the revolution in international relations, and challenges to liberal democracy posed by illiberal populist movements.