What is the Difference Between Far Right and Far Left

verThe Far Right and Far Left are the most extreme ends of the political spectrum. They both want to change society, but they go in opposite directions.

What is the difference between Far Right and Far Left? The Far Right wants to preserve tradition, national identity, and strict social order, while the Far Left wants to create a classless, equal society by completely changing the current system.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is the Far Right  
     – Definition, Beliefs, Ideology 
2. What is the Far Left
     – Definition, Beliefs, Ideology 
3. Similarities Between Far Right and Far Left
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Far Right and Far Left
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Far Right and Far Left
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Far Right, Far Left

What is the Far Right

The Far Right refers to extreme right-wing political beliefs that go beyond mainstream conservative views. These ideologies are usually very strict and deeply nationalistic. They often reject modern liberal values like diversity, equality, and democratic freedoms.

Far-right politics is known for promoting ultraconservatism, authoritarianism, ultranationalism, and nativism—the idea that only people born in a country (and of a certain background) truly belong there. In the past, far-right ideologies included systems like fascism, Nazism, and Falangism. Today, similar ideas show up in groups linked to neo-Nazism, white supremacy, chauvinism, and extreme religious or reactionary beliefs.

One of the main beliefs of the Far Right is the idea of protecting a “pure” society, often defined by race, ethnicity, culture, or religion. They see diversity or multiculturalism as a threat to this “natural” order. Hence, they prefer a return to traditional values, rigid social roles, and clear cultural boundaries.

Far-right groups are often against immigration and blame minorities or outsiders for social problems. Sometimes, these movements have led to political violence, oppression, or even ethnic cleansing and genocide.

The Far Right can look different depending on the country. In Western Europe, it often focuses on anti-immigration and anti-globalization. In Eastern Europe, it’s more about anti-communist and nationalistic messages. Moreover, in the United States, far-right groups are known for nativism and strong opposition to federal government control.

What is the Far Left

The Far Left refers to political ideas that go beyond the regular left side of politics. Although the mainstream left may support things like social programs and income equality, the Far Left pushes for a complete change in how society and the economy work.

Far-left politics include ideologies like socialism, communism, and anarchism. These movements often call themselves workers’ parties, labour parties, socialist, communist, revolutionary, or militant groups. Most far-left ideas come from either Marxism or anarchism.

The main goal of the Far Left is to create a classless society—a world without rich or poor, where everyone has equal access to resources, and no one is exploited or oppressed. In this ideal society, things like food, housing, healthcare, and education would be available to all. People would share knowledge, wealth, and power, and everything would be owned collectively instead of privately.

This future is often called a communist society, though some use the terms socialism or democratization instead. There isn’t one exact model of what this society would look like, but many believe it would be self-run by the people and possibly extend across the globe.

Over time, different far-left groups have argued over how to reach this goal. Some believe in revolution, while others debate whether reforms are enough. Traditionally, the Far Left has also focused strongly on uniting the working class as the key to changing the system.

Similarities Between Far Right and Far Left

1. Both are extremes on the political spectrum.
2. They want a major change in society.
3. They have led to authoritarian regimes in history.

Difference Between Far Right and Far Left

Ideology

• The Far Left is based on socialism, communism, and anarchism, aiming to build a classless society with shared ownership, while the Far Right promotes ultraconservatism, nationalism, and strong traditional values and often rejects liberal ideas and diversity.

Core Values and Beliefs

• Core values of the Far Left include equality, justice, workers’ rights, and social change, while core values of the Far Right include tradition, order, loyalty to the nation, and preserving a “pure” identity.

View of Government and Power

• Far Left supports people-powered systems, where the government works for equality and reduces the influence of the wealthy. Far Right, on the other hand, supports a strong, centralized government that maintains order and protects national identity, often at the cost of personal freedoms.

Economic Beliefs

• According to Far Left beliefs, the economy should be controlled by the people or the state, with wealth redistributed to reduce inequality. The Far Right usually supports capitalism but limits benefits to certain “native” groups and opposes welfare for outsiders.

View on Society and Class

• The Far Left wants to remove class divisions and promote complete equality across all social groups, whereas the Far Right supports traditional hierarchies and believes in maintaining cultural or ethnic superiority.

FAQ: Far Right and Far Left

1. What is the difference between the right wing and the left wing?

The Right Wing usually supports tradition, free markets, and less government control, while the Left Wing supports social equality, government help for the poor, and more rules on businesses to protect people.

2. What does it mean to be far-left?

Being far-left means believing in big changes to create a society where everyone is equal, with no rich or poor. Far-left ideas often support shared ownership, ending capitalism, and giving more power to ordinary people.

3. What is the right-wing belief?

Right-wing beliefs focus on tradition, personal responsibility, and less government control. They often support free markets, strong national identity, and traditional family values.

4. What is the left wing ideology?

Left-wing ideology supports equality, social justice, and helping the poor through government programs. It believes the government should play a bigger role in improving people’s lives and reducing the gap between the rich and the poor.

Reference:

1. “Far Left Politics.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

2. “Far Right Politics.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Political Spectrum” By JCRules – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia