"The Far Left"? WTF?

[vive la commune]

178. The real far left

The real far left is actually the anticapitalist left, aka the radical left. Yes, it includes Soviet-style communism, but also other leftist views such as class-struggle anarchism and various flavors of socialism. Basically, it's just the position that capitalism (defined as the private ownership of the means of production + wage labor) cannot be reformed, and that a new system must be brought about. There is a lot of variation and disagreement (to put it mildly) on the far left on how to achieve this--some say through electoral means, some by insurrection or general strike, some support seizing state power, others say abolish the state. All are anticapitalist. Almost all put importance on the working class being the catalyst and main force to bring about this social revolution.

I don't have much to say about Third Way vs. progressivism within the Democratic party, except to say I personally hope the progressives win out. Neither the Third Way nor the progressives are far left. FDR wasn't far left. Elizabeth Warren isn't far left. I think Bernie Sanders may possibly be far left in his private sentiment (most people that describe themselves as socialist are anticapitalist), but he's not advocating a far-left platform. I much prefer the term radical left to far left, because I think it is more descriptive of the anticapitalist left and 'far left' has a somewhat pejorative tone. I consider myself radical left in my views, but I do have respect for others on the left who might not share my viewpoint.

Of course, like others have said here, for decades right-wingers have been defining anyone and everyone in the Democratic party (and probably some 'RINO's) as far left to drag the conversation to the right.