Economically Left, Socially Right?

[Red Rabbit]

Is there a term for this? That is, someone who believes in a classless society with common ownership of the means of production, but is also socially more to the right, such as being religious, family oriented and just "old-fashioned".

I've ran into quite a few people who are like this and it's always confused me. Typically when I ask them what their political views are they usually either say they're Democrats, or they "don't want to be labeled".

Anyone else have experience with this?

[Rafiq]

It is a form of bourgeois socialism.

[eric922]

Well it depends. I don't see anything necessary wrong with being religious as long as they don't let that influence public policy. You'll have to clarify what you mean by family-oriented. If you mean that as in "family values" then yes there is a big problem with being anti-choice and homophobic.

[Brosip Tito]

They exist, they're called "idiots".

[GoddessCleoLover]

It is fashionable among some petit-bourgeois circles to be socially left, but economically conservative. The reverse might be the case among some senior citizens who are economically disadvantaged yet hold on to old social ideas.

[Die Neue Zeit]

It is a form of bourgeois socialism.

Not quite, comrade: a form of petit-bourgeois socialism, to be more accurate.

[Red Rabbit]

Yes, what I meant by family oriented is your typical "family values". Anti-choice, homophobic, against open sexuality, etc.

[Gold Against The Soul]

Is there a term for this? That is, someone who believes in a classless society with common ownership of the means of production, but is also socially more to the right, such as being religious, family oriented and just "old-fashioned".

I've ran into quite a few people who are like this and it's always confused me. Typically when I ask them what their political views are they usually either say they're Democrats, or they "don't want to be labeled".

Anyone else have experience with this?

Why confusing? Nothing wrong with being personally small 'c' conservative and socialist, ie you can be personally against abortion but have no wish to force this on everyone else. The same with, lets say, divorce. Always make me laugh when I hear some of these so called American conservatives banging on the importance of the family etc and then you find, like Newt Gingrich, they've had about 4 wives! These people aren't conservatives in any meaningful way.

[gorillafuck]

Yes, what I meant by family oriented is your typical "family values". Anti-choice, homophobic, against open sexuality, etc.this is how the old left was after stalin re-criminalized homosexuality and abortion.

[Catma]

Why confusing? Nothing wrong with being personally small 'c' conservative and socialist, ie you can be personally against abortion but have no wish to force this on everyone else. The same with, lets say, divorce. Always make me laugh when I hear some of these so called American conservatives banging on the importance of the family etc and then you find, like Newt Gingrich, they've had about 4 wives! These people aren't conservatives in any meaningful way.

I was under the impression that such people as the OP mentioned were those who did NOT limit their views to their personal lives. If we are talking about people who simply have their own personal conservative code of living, then yeah who cares.

[Prometeo liberado]

Yes, what I meant by family oriented is your typical "family values". Anti-choice, homophobic, against open sexuality, etc.

Sounds a lot like the beinings of National Socialism.

[Ocean Seal]

Sounds a lot like the beinings of National Socialism.
Not really, it is more similar to the populist/ free silver movements in the United States. Built on the rights of workers and small farmers and espousing anti-modernist sentiment. And DNZ is right that Marx would call it petit bourgeois socialism.

[Die Neue Zeit]

To further complicate things, there can also be a leftist spin on Michael Lind's "Radical Center."

Personally, I'm all for being economically further left, but on questions of "Identity Politics" can understand what Lind and his supporters have to offer:

http://www.revleft.com/vb/full-belly-thesis-t141396/index.html

(From the wiki: "the 'radical centrist' politician's refusal to politicize or advocate socially-liberal issues like abortion or gay rights [...] might spurn any influence or pressure coming from the Religious Right and other socially conservative groups")

Moreover, this should not be confused with Britain's newest fascist tendency, Blue Labour, which is definitely more aggressive on "family, faith, and flag":

http://www.revleft.com/vb/uk-labour-party-t155638/index.html
http://www.revleft.com/vb/dont-underestimate-toxic-t155636/index.html

[The Douche]

There was a lot of people like this in the old left. (for instance, homosexuals weren't allowed in Communist parties)

It is also somewhat common to encounter this kind of thought with older males in unionized work here in the US in my experience.