Is there a "far left"/"extreme left"? If so, what is it?

[Direckshun]

In the Gerafalo thread in this forum, there were a few people claiming that while America may have a lot of citizens that are on the "far right" end of the political spectrum, we have very few (if any) people on the "far left."

So I have 2 questions for DU:

1. What exactly is considered to be the "far left"?

2. Do you think there are any people who are? Name names, if you can.

[enki23]

1. left-libertarians (anarchists)... communists, etc.

.

[Direckshun]

5. Thanks.

Could it be possible to be "far left" without entailing communism or anarchy?

[enki23]

21. it's all relative

when you're an extreme fascist, like much of the american "right" then anyone to the left of reagan is an "extreme leftist."

[Christ was Socialist]

2. Usually syndicalists or communists

Lyndon LaRouche is the best known

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larouche

Anyone who wants radical change immediately and is anti corporate is usually left, but there are many far lefts. But read that and thats usually what is identified as the fringe.

[bigbillhaywood]

16. LaRouche is not far left, he's a wacky "third-positionist"

In other words he combines elements of socialism and fascism. He started out as a Trotskyist, but he's just nutty now. Got some really far out conspiracy theories.

[dpibel]

18. LaRouche is left??

I hardly think so. The Wikipedia link you cite says:

"LaRouche distanced himself from the left, and claimed that his new socio-political movement transcends all traditional categories of left (socialist/liberal) and right (nationalist/hierarchical/conservative).

In addition, most left groups have formally characterized his movement and ideology as fascist or neo-fascist. This is because his ideas and movement follow closely in form with what some call a fascist litmus test. These include, firstly, organized physical attacks on left groups, in particular the Socialist Worker's Party (of which he was a member for several decades) and the Communist Party."

LaRouche is patently nuts. But left? Naw.

I mean, if you want to base that argument on his early career as a Trotskyite, then the neocons are left, too.

[Eric J in MN]

3. Someone who wants a communist dictatorship would

Someone who wants a communist dictatorship would probably be considered "far left."

I can't name anyone who wants to turn America into a communist dictatorship.

[Michael Costello]

19. You mean...

...a dictatorship of the proletariat.

[rocktivity]

4. The "far" left

Exists only from the perspective of the radical right.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Failure]

9. nice. nt

[Jax]

17. rocknation Rocks!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Jax

[oostevo]

6. Well, sadly ...

I think many people would consider us the far left.

But otherwise, I agree with the above. There is a far left that is collectivist economically (the communists/socialists) and a far left that is not (the anarchists). Both groups tend to appear at political rallies and protests (sometimes it would seem in an effort to sully the reputation of the cause).

[Christ was Socialist]

11. Now you sound like a right winger

"There is a far left that is collectivist economically (the communists/socialists)"

not all socialists are collectivists. I only say you sound like a right winger, because the consider welfare and sociali security to be collectivist. But there are socialist in congress. Most of us just want to destroy the privatazation of industries such as the health. public works, police etc

[Minstrel Boy]

7. The answer has been drilled into Americans for 25 years:

liberals. Even of the DLC-stripe.

[physioex]

8. Most of us are against wars in general...

Except to remove fascists like Hitler. I would assume the far far left would be totally against wars, industrialization and things of that nature.

[peacetalksforall]

10. I'm on the Preserve America left....

I'm from the past....

I believe and want to preserve what I was taught as a child...

. this is a country of the people, for the people, by the people
. we have certain rights
. we have a justice system to protect us from lynchings and burnings (supposed to have - some were not given the honor of justice)
. we elect representatives by honest votes - people who don't rob us
. we separate church and state and the principle of separation was the most importnat reason for founding the country
. that police were hired to protect us
. that journalists presented both sides of an issue
. that the people of this country were not superior to other people on the earth because the people of this country are the people of other countries and we could not be superior because we we did not honor the people who were already living here.

So I'm a PRESERVIST LEFTIST.

I learned that people who took the reins of the Republican Party believed in secret governments, assassinations, manipulation, and now imperialism and domination and profit for a few to the extreme detriment of the people by reaching the ultimate in hypocrisy.

[Christ was Socialist]

12. that america never existed<nt>

[bigbillhaywood]

15. Very good. n/t

[bpilgrim]

13. some of our greatest scholars are considered 'FAR' left...

chomsky, parenti, zinn... FRANKEN ;->
http://news.globalfreepress.com/mp3/airAmericaRadio.com/franken-wilson.mp3

it's just a devise label at the end of the day :hi:

peace

[Th1onein]

14. I'm far left

Anarchy is the extreme of the left. You must realize, though, that this anarchy is one in which there is no need for laws, because people always do the right thing, anyway.

[jmags]

20. According to O'Reilly...

the far left includes Larry David, Arianna Huffington, Michael Moore, and Al Franken.

[Solon]

22. I think the problem of defining it is that it is a matter...

of perspective. For example, me, I am anti-corporatists in the fact that I believe that they do NOT work to the best interest of society. They NEED to be regulated, it cannot be any other way, for when they are unregulated it usually leads to abuses of our system that is absolutely atrocious in the amount of lives ruined and lost. The belief that the "Free Market" will solve all ills is a FAR RIGHT AGENDA, and usually anyone who questions that position is labeled "Far Left" and then villified for it.

Another definition of a Far Leftist that I have heard of is the belief that a democratic government can work to the benefit of its citizens. I'm talking about SS, Healthcare, Utilities, etc. Private corporations cannot efficiently run any of these things in a practical manner. So to advocate that the government should step in and take up the slack is considered Socialist and anti-capitalist.

So far I only listed positions that are mostly economic in nature, and on social issues, let's see. I believe that Gay Marriage should be legalized nationwide. I believe that the War on Drugs is a failure and I would abolish that policy for a saner approach of comprehensive rehabilitation and education. I would decriminalize weed and hemp, and releasing all non-violent offenders from prison. Do any of these make me far left? To some yes, to others no, it is all a matter of perspective.

[bemildred]

23. This all seems one-dimensional. nt

[bigbillhaywood]

24. No, it's all a capitalist lie. Go back to sleep, comra., er, I mean buddy.