"far left"

[Revy]

I see "far left" as derogatory. Radical, revolutionary, socialist, are fine before left, but "far left" is kinda saying "oh that's too extreme, the idea we should eliminate exploitation and oppression". Um no, I'm not extreme.

[F9]

Ehmmm.. Is there a question or something?Or just you basically search for "description" of the phrase?

Personally i dont find it derogatory, at all, i use it(mostly in greek translation though) to describe my politics or simillar..Some people indeed use it as derogatory though, but i can only say "their problem".. They might also use "anarchist" "communist" etc as a derogatory phrase...

[New Tet]

Try to think of it as a left that is far ahead.

[JimmyJazz]

It's often my preferred term. Though I strongly think that it's most effective to just talk to people, and without making a big deal out of it, calmly debunk their right-wing fallacies, without laying your own opinion out there or labeling yourself--unless you have a specific reason to believe the person might be receptive to radical politics. Labels add more confusion than clarity--think of how "communist" is used by everyone from anarchists to Maoists--but "far left" is nice and broad.

Another thing I've used is to say "I'm pretty far left" when asked, and if the person still looks interested, to add "like, all the way left". And if they still look interested then I might consider spilling the beans.

[ComradeOm]

Um no, I'm not extreme.Really? You don't support the overthrow of the bourgeois state and the creation of a socialist society? Because those are fairly extreme sentiments, one might even say 'revolutionary', in the context of today's political discourse

[kharacter]

I'm currently working on a poster for a possible club at school, and I originally intended to use "meetings of the radical left". However, I asked for some feedback from my dad and sister and both agreed that saying "meetings of the far left" would be less jarring to people. Supposedly it has a much less negative connotations, and I would generally agree that that is true.

[NecroCommie]

Yeah, I hate it when people use "far left" and "extreme left" as curse words. I use to reply to the use of these words: "yeah, extreme left is extremely right..."

[yuon]

I'm far left. But then again, I don't think that the "Labor" Party (Labour in the UK) is left at all. So, using "far left" is meant to contrast with the weak statist left, rather than the pseudo-left of the ex-socialist parties (e.g. Labor in Australia).

I have no problem with being described as far (or extreme) left, or using the term to describe myself. It is different to "radical" left, as radical (to my mind) is more just challenging the status-quo, but not wanting revolutionary change (necessarily).

I'll also accept revolutionary left, but, far left is better. I'm further left than most. I want more equality, more freedom, oh, and my e-penis is bigger!

[The Idler]

I'm far left. But then again, I don't think that the "Labor" Party (Labour in the UK) is left at all. So, using "far left" is meant to contrast with the weak statist left, rather than the pseudo-left of the ex-socialist parties (e.g. Labor in Australia).

I have no problem with being described as far (or extreme) left, or using the term to describe myself. It is different to "radical" left, as radical (to my mind) is more just challenging the status-quo, but not wanting revolutionary change (necessarily).

I'll also accept revolutionary left, but, far left is better. I'm further left than most. I want more equality, more freedom, oh, and my e-penis is bigger!
If you're an activist, describing yourself as merely "left-wing" will lead people to assume you are in the Democrats (US) or Labour (UK).

[the last donut of the night]

I'm far left. But names are just names. For example, I would love if we communists were called Glorious Defenders of Democracy by the public, but that just doesn't happen. Names only get a bad rep if we really put too much into them.

[jake williams]

"Far left" makes me feel like a badass.

[yuon]

If you're an activist, describing yourself as merely "left-wing" will lead people to assume you are in the Democrats (US) or Labour (UK).

Yes, but as I said, don't describe myself as "left-wing". If I'm amongst 'normal' people, I tend to use the term socialist, or again, 'far left'.

I would never use just the term "left-wing", because it is misunderstood by many people.

[The Idler]

Yes, but as I said, don't describe myself as "left-wing". If I'm amongst 'normal' people, I tend to use the term socialist, or again, 'far left'.

I would never use just the term "left-wing", because it is misunderstood by many people.
Well even "socialist" is often regarded as a member of the Democrats (US) or Labour (UK) who supports welfare capitalism like Michael Moore.

[yuon]

Well even "socialist" is often regarded as a member of the Democrats (US) or Labour (UK) who supports welfare capitalism like Michael Moore.

Luckily I live in a country where people aren't that ignorant, and know full well that Labor isn't socialist. (Sure, there are still plenty who think that they have the best interests of the workers at heart, but I've never met anyone who would call them "socialist".)

If someone suggested such ignorance in my presence I would do my best to inform them of their error (assuming that the atmosphere was conducive for such a conversation). However, the worst error I have had to deal with is the notion that China is communist. Intelligent people realise quickly their error once it is pointed out what communism is meant to be (a classless stateless society where the economy is run along the lines, from each according to their ability, to each according to their need). One particularly stubborn person insists still on using the term, because that is what the media uses. But at least they understand that it is wrong in the political sense.

[Kyshee]

In all honesty, when I come to meet new people, I don't like to describe my views with very specific teminology; I'd rather state my opinions on the topic at hand. I find that too often, specific labels come with connotations that vary from person to person too much, and the meaning I have for them is lost. I like "far left" for its lack of inferred meaning and the flexibility it allows.

[Outinleftfield]

Introducing yourself as "far left" is a lot more effective than most labels. If you say you're an "anarchist" people will think you dont care about politics and just like chaos. If you say you're a "communist" everyone will hate you and think you want to be a dictator because people have been conditioned to hate communism. If you say you're a "socialist" people assume you want bureaucrats to run everything. Radical and extreme makes people think of terrorists. "Far left" is vague. Some people might think you're just very liberal. Strangely if you think about it the far left tends to side with the right on some mainstream issues. Many of us would oppose gun control because we don't think disarming the working class is good. And many of us support the death penalty under certain circumstances. I think the biggest difference between us and mainstream liberals is attitude. We're liberals with balls. The mainstream left is concerned with the problems caused by capitalism but aren't willing to be too controversial. The far left understands that we're not going to solve the world's problems if we play it safe and avoid controversy.

[Communist]

I don't know what any of these 'left' terms really mean. I've been described as ultra-left, although I'm not a Left communist and noone who used the term thought I was, so I disregard the terms altogether. I'm: a communist, a Marxist-Leninist, and a socialist.
Those terms are accurate...also a leftist, but what kind, or how far, etc., I don't know or think about.

[Revy]

Wow, I hate when I do this, but I forgot the word "eliminate". I type very fast, so I often forget to type words....

I see your points. I wanted to open up a discussion as to whether we re-inforce our own political marginalization by accepting such labels as "far-left".

But I understand its usefulness as a category, but the whole implied "distance" of the term (far) perhaps is what got to me.

Fuserg, sometimes a statement is a question, and a question is a statement, or a statement opens up new questions or issues.

[*Red*Alert]

I'm Far Left and proud, I hate the smell of Populism or Centrists.

[Oneironaut]

I have never considered describing myself as 'far left' before. I usually just tell someone who is honestly enquiring that I'm a communist. Maybe I'll try saying far left too... it does sorta make you feel like a badass.

[Velkas]

I have always described myself as a libertarian socialist or an anarchist communist.
Although far left sounds pretty cool, maybe I could start using that...:cool: