What is the difference between left and right wing?
The political spectrum is a system of classifying political positions, ideologies, and parties from social equality. It is the system that has result in left-wing, centrism, and right-wing.
The main difference between the right and left-wing is that the right-wing has a political philosophy of conservative whereas the right-wing has a political philosophy of liberals.
Read More: Difference between Democrats and Republicans
Comparison Table (Left Wing vs Right Wing)
| Basic Terms | Left-Wing | Right Wing |
| Political Philosophy | Liberals | Conservatives |
| Economic Policy | Income equality, higher tax rates on the wealthy, strong regulations on businesses, and increase government spending | Fewer taxes, less regulation on businesses, a balanced budget, and reduced government spending |
| Healthcare Policy | Support universal healthcare, affordable care act, expansion of Medicare and Medicaid | Do not support universal healthcare and affordable care act |
| Immigration Policy | Provide citizenship for undocumented young immigrants | Provide stronger border patrol and fence against illegal immigrants |
| Education Policy | Support expanded fee and public education | Encourage parents to either opt for homeschooling, private school or public education |
| Abortion | Support access to abortion and embryonic stem cell research | Do not support abortion rights and stem cell research |
| Gay Rights | Support gay marriage and anti-discrimination law to protect LGBT | Oppose gay marriage and certain anti-discrimination law |
| Gun Rights | Support gun control laws | Strongly oppose gun control laws |
| Environmental Policy | Ban economic activities that could potentially harm the environment | Believe the free market will find a solution to environmental problems |
| Voter ID Laws | Do not support voter ID laws citing undue burden to low-income earners | Support voter ID laws to combat voter fraud |
| Percentage of US Population Identifying themselves as | 23% | 38% |
| Political Parties Associated | Democratic Party, Green, and Socialists | Republican Party and Constitutional Party |
| Ideologies | Social democracy, federalism, socialism, communism, Marxism, and collectivism | Capitalism and conservatism |
| Media Houses Associated with | The New York Times, MSNBC, Washington Post, CNN | National Review, Fox News, Wall Street Journal, Washington Times |
| Famous Proponents of Ideology | Barack Obama, Karl Marx, Barney Frank, Noam Chomsky, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Friedrich Engels, Nancy Pelosi, and Warren Buffett. | Mitt Romney, Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, Tony Abbott, George W. Bush, George Washington, Winston Churchill, Rupert Murdoch, Rush Limbaugh, Mitch McConnell, and Margaret Thatcher |
| Core Beliefs | Minority rights, economic equality, gun control, environmental protection, expanded educational opportunity | Limited Government at National or Federal Level. Local Governments should have the most control over decisions affecting the local population. |
What Is Left-Wing?
It is a political spectrum that comes into existence during the French revolution. It was a group of legislatures who sat on the left side of the parliamentary president.
The political philosophy of the left-wing is liberal. They typically support income equality, higher tax rates on the wealthy, and stronger business regulations.
Read More: Difference between Fascism and Communism
What Is Right-Wing?
It is a group of the legislature that sat on the right side of the parliamentary president. It also comes into existence during the French revolution.
The political philosophy of the right-wing is conservative. The wing typically supports lower taxes, less regulation on businesses, and reduce government spending.
Main Difference between Left and Right Wing
- Left-wing political philosophy is liberal whereas right-wing political philosophy is conservative
- Left-wing support higher taxes rates on the wealthy whereas the right-wing support lower taxes
- Left-wing support gay marriage and anti-discrimination laws to protect the LGBT community whereas the right-wing oppose gay marriages and anti-discrimination laws
- The left-wing support gun control laws whereas the right-wing oppose gun control laws
- The Left-wing is associated with the democratic party, green and socialist whereas the right-wing is associated with the republican party and constitutional party
- Left-wing famous proponents are Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Warren Buffet whereas right-wing famous proponents are George W Bush, George Washington, Mitt Romney, and Donald Trump.
Read More: Difference between Democrats and Libertarians
Comparison Video
Summary
French Revolution results in the political spectrum that triggered left and right-wing. The core difference between left and right-wing is that left-wing is an ideology supported by liberals whereas right-wing is an ideology supported by a conservative.
More Sources and References
- Right and Left Wing. Cambridge University Journal
- Brain of Left and Right. Media Insider
- Left–Right Political Spectrum. Wikipedia