political spectrum
Left-right ideological continuum
The political spectrum is a way of mapping political positions along a line or continuum, typically from left to right.
The left encompasses progressive, socialist, and liberal positions; the right encompasses conservative, traditionalist, and free-market positions.
The metaphor comes from seating arrangements in the French Revolutionary assembly.
Critics note that a single axis oversimplifies political reality—libertarians and authoritarians, for instance, may share positions on economic issues while diverging sharply on social ones.
Where does she fall on the political spectrum?
Philosophy valuing reform, tolerance
- conservatismPreference for existing institutions
- socialismCommunal economic control
- communismCollective ownership system
- libertarianismMinimal-government political philosophy
fascism · anarchism · populism · nationalism · progressivism · neoliberalism · neoconservatism · social democracy
Politically liberal or radical
- right-wingPolitically conservative faction
- centerMiddle of anything
- far-leftExtreme progressive political position
- far-rightExtremist political ideology
moderate · centrist · radical · extremist · liberal · conservative · progressive · reactionary
Range of tolerable ideas
- one-dimensionalWithout depth or complexity
- two-dimensionalHaving only two axes
- realignmentAdjusting relative positions
- quadrantFourth of a circle
Communal economic control
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- equalitySame status for all
- redistributionSharing out again differently
- welfare stateGovernment-funded citizen support system
collectivism · solidarity · egalitarianism · unionization · social justice · environmentalism · secularism · antifascism
Private profit-based economy
- free marketCommerce without state intervention
- deregulationRemoving governmental business restrictions
- privatizationState sells public assets
- small governmentMinimal state authority philosophy
fiscal conservatism · supply-side · laissez-faire · traditionalism · family values · patriotism · law and order · pro-business
Pursuit of sweeping change
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
- ultranationalismExtreme supremacist patriotism
militancy · terrorism · insurgency · radicalization · dogmatism · sectarianism · purism · separatism
liberalism
Philosophy valuing reform, tolerance
- conservatismPreference for existing institutions
- socialismCommunal economic control
- communismCollective ownership system
libertarianism · fascism · anarchism · populism · nationalism · progressivism · neoliberalism · neoconservatism · social democracy · democratic socialism
left-wing
Politically liberal or radical
- right-wingPolitically conservative faction
- centerMiddle of anything
- far-leftExtreme progressive political position
far-right · moderate · centrist · radical · extremist · liberal · conservative · progressive · reactionary · middle-ground
Overton window
Range of tolerable ideas
- one-dimensionalWithout depth or complexity
- two-dimensionalHaving only two axes
- realignmentAdjusting relative positions
socialism
Communal economic control
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- equalitySame status for all
- redistributionSharing out again differently
welfare state · collectivism · solidarity · egalitarianism · unionization · social justice · environmentalism · secularism · antifascism · cooperative
capitalism
Private profit-based economy
- free marketCommerce without state intervention
- deregulationRemoving governmental business restrictions
- privatizationState sells public assets
small government · fiscal conservatism · supply-side · laissez-faire · traditionalism · family values · patriotism · law and order · pro-business · tax cuts
radicalism
Pursuit of sweeping change
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
ultranationalism · militancy · terrorism · insurgency · radicalization · dogmatism · sectarianism · purism · separatism · revolutionary
- civicsballot, election, ballots, Bill of Rights, branches of government
- politicsdemocracy, campaigning, campaigns, democrats, bill
- polarizationpolarizer, divide, polarized light, divisiveness, polarizing filter
- scalesweight, measure, balance, balance scale, digital scale
- party politicsparty, parties, party member, party system, party affiliation
- gradationsgradient, gradation, scale, continuum, degree
political spectrumparty line
Official political position
ideological conformity · groupthink · dogma · monoculture · unanimity
political spectrumpolitical tribalism
Group identity overriding reason
policy, politics, spectrum, political, politician, policies, spectral, polity, politically