Right Wing or Left Wing: The Dangers of Pigeonhole Polarization

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by Neil Bamforth

Here in our relatively comfortable western democracies we have many rights. If I listed them all then I would be typing – well, a list really. That would be pretty boring wouldn’t it? Mind you, I’m assuming what I do type isn’t pretty boring but, after all, we are entitled to live in hope as well as freedom are we not? So, I will live in hope that I don’t bore you. If I do, I won’t apologize as, being human, I have a right to bore you. So there.

Albeit I am far more content to live in a western democracy than, say, an Islamic theocracy, I find that I can’t quite shrug my shoulders and just carry on without worrying. Can you?

In our western democracies we have a thing called ‘politics’. Now ‘politics’ is more or less what keeps our western democracies going. Given that keeping our democracies going is a good thing, it is rather depressing that the politics that actually keeps our democracies going is so frequently a complete and utter pain in the ass (in England that would be ‘arse’ but I have to adapt to the American spelling which I do because I’m nice like that)

In recent times the main concern regarding ‘politics’ in our western democracies is, to me, that it is becoming increasingly and alarmingly polarized. (I’m even putting ‘z’ instead of ‘s’ in polarized and, earlier, apologize. See how diplomatic I can be when I try?)

Lately everything is ‘right wing’ or ‘left wing’. If it isn’t either then it’s ‘far right’ or ‘far left’.

If you express a view that goes against someone who holds ‘left wing’ views then you are ‘right wing’. Confusingly you can then express a view that upsets someone who is ‘right wing’ and then you are ‘left wing’.

Any suggestion that you are neither one nor t’other is met with much ridicule. Any suggestion that you can actually be ‘right wing’ in some scenarios and ‘left wing’ in other scenarios is met with protestations that it is impossible.

You have to be in one camp or the other. There is no middle ground. You have to ‘plant your flag’ with the right or the left. You have the freedom to decide one way or another and that’s where your freedom ends. It appears that, today, you no longer have the right to move your flag one way or another depending on the circumstances.

That, I believe, is why ‘the middle ground’ politically speaking is rapidly becoming extinct.

The ‘middle ground’ allows you to change and adjust your political opinions dependent on what the circumstances are. For some unfathomable reason that seems to be no longer de rigueur in more and more of our western democracies.

You are for us or against us. If you are against us over this issue then you are forever against us. You can’t come back.

This polarization (with a ‘z’ rather than an ‘s’ – see how hard I try to stay in the middle ground?) is deeply unsettling to me.

Here at Mad Mike’s America I am deemed ‘right wing‘. Mainly, as far as I know, due to my support of Brexit and my deep annoyance at the uncontrolled immigration Britain has suffered for decades.

I do, up to a point, understand of course. There are few ‘left wingers’ politically speaking who support Brexit or controls on immigration. My support of both tars me as a ‘right winger’ – and, in purely those terms, I am.

My unequivocal support for environmental issues, animal rights, mental health, disability equality, gay rights, women’s equality, racial equality etc etc ad infinitum is neither here nor there. I agree with Brexit and strict immigration controls therefore I am a ‘right winger’.

Even my repeated statements that I consider Trump a complete madman is of no consequence. Once you are ‘tarred’ as ‘right’ or ‘left’ there is no going back.

That, dear readers, worries me even more than Trump or Fat Boy Kim in North Korea. That worries me even more than Oldham Athletic getting beaten. Even more than the world’s supply of beer drying up.

If a persons right to be free to express themselves over some topic or other eternally damns them to be pushed into one place never to return then how can democracy survive?

The whole point of democracy is that we are free to be free. Free to express our views without shame nor condemnation. Certainly even this freedom has to be restrained with a modicum of common sense.

Freedom of speech does not, and cannot include, the freedom to incite hatred or violence. That is an abuse of that very freedom. However, this ‘freedom’ is itself under threat – which means democracy is also under threat.

You question whether Islam is compatible with the west? You are Islamophobic.

You question whether the European Union is determined to dominate Europe? You are xenophobic.

You question whether a transgender woman should be able to use the women’s bathroom you are transphobic. (if that wasn’t a word it is now cause I’ve invented it)

You are merely asking “Is Islam compatible with the west?”. Discuss.

The EU? Discuss.

Transgender? Discuss.

Oh no. You are a right wing Islamophobic hater of transgender people.

You can’t even ask a bloody question without being categorized (with a bloody ‘z’ not an ‘s’) and pigeon holed. You can’t express a concern that some bloody fool doesn’t like hearing before you are some kind of rabid right wing Nazi or some kind of far left Commie.

If there is one thing that western democracy relies on it is our freedoms to express ourselves within the bounds of common sense on any subject we like without fear of condemnation.

We can agree or disagree in equal measure with someone but, at all times, we respect their views and, possibly, discuss said views in an effort to change their views – in the full knowledge that they might actually change ours.

Ultimately we may agree to disagree but we part as friends, disagreeing amicably over a beer or three.

That is the west. That is what we are and who we are – or at least, it was.

Now I’m not so sure. The west is becoming a democratic world of political extremes. A democratic world where you have to think before you speak in case you upset or offend someone and find yourself tarred as, well, what ever you are tarred as.

Mind you, on the plus side, whilst being ‘tarred’ one way or another does slightly worry me, it only worries me regarding freedom of speech in our democracies generally. Personally I’ve a hide like a Rhino and couldn’t care less what anyone thinks of me – other than I like to be liked but, then again, don’t we all?

All I want to do is live and be free – or as free as circumstances allow at least.

I’m feeling quite lonely living in a political middle ground, especially as most don’t even believe I’m actually here as they think I’m off on the right somewhere. Anyone want to join me and tell the left and right to go to hell?

Ah! Good point. We can’t say that or they’ll accuse us of being religious nuts for believing in hell. We’ll be tarred as Christian fundamentalists! Oh eck.

Sod ’em all. Be right or be left. Fine by me. I’m staying in’t middle. A brief stray right or left is fine by me – nice change of scenery for one thing – but I’m staying here in’t middle. “Oh no your not! You’re right wing!”. Yeah? Really? I really shouldn’t care should I? Well, long as you like me I don’t and, if you don’t like me I still don’t – care that is 😉

Pray for our western freedoms. An atheist or agnostic prayer is quite acceptable to me. After all, I’m neither one thing or t’other. Our political polarization is an increasing threat to our freedoms and our democracies. We need to stop it. Now.

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About Post Author

Neil Bamforth

I am English first, British second and never ever European. I have supported Oldham Athletic FC for 50 years which has made me immune from depression. My taste buds have died due to too many red hot curries so I drink Kronenburg beer and milk - sometimes in the same glass. I have a wife, daughter, 9 cats and I like toast.
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6 years ago

I agree on the need to stop partisanship and fear what will happen when, not if, we do not. Simply put we the people have proven ourselves incapable/powerless to turn the tide and politicians have proven to be unwilling. You, this article, did well explaining the dynamic and the potential/continuing harm but not so well the underlying cause. It goes to your remark(s) about having points of views (positions) which are not always and only left or right. The sad fact is the Parties have platforms which the elected must conform to no matter what the politicians personal opinion is and does not change with any amount of logic opposing. One party (GOP) 10 times more obstinate than the others but still no one will unilaterally disarm with the willingness to compromise. Compromise is foolish if the only beliefs and positions up for negotiation are yours. We simple voters have proven incapable of seeing thru the partisan BS and also unwilling to unilaterally punish our representatives so nothing changes……

John V. Merle
6 years ago

You’re just a bloke trying to speak his peace and settle his mind. Good on ‘ya!

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  John V. Merle
6 years ago

Precisely! Good on ya too! 🍻

Beeler
6 years ago

I could use one of those beers there Neil, you happy UKipper you 🙂 🙂

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Beeler
6 years ago

First rounds on me 😘 🍻🍻

6 years ago

I’m with Mike and am an independent kind of voter. I’ve even voted republican a time or two. Nixon comes to mind. Look what happened there. Anyway Neil I know what you’re saying, but like Mike says you do like animals so you aren’t all bad.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Timmy Mahoney
6 years ago

Why thank you old chum! 🍻🍻

Glenn R. Geist
6 years ago

I’ve been trying to argue for a few more dimensions to our view than right/left – maybe some North/south or Warm/Cold, but You’ve said it better. We are all so much more complex than a point on a single line. This polarization is a distortion and a tool for misrepresentation.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Glenn R. Geist
6 years ago

Cheers old bean! 🍻

Reply to  Glenn R. Geist
6 years ago

I was once unfriended by someone on FB because I said I wasn’t a Progressive, and didn’t want to be a Progressive. She was a Bernie Bot and was just outraged that I could call myself a liberal, and yet refused to be “progressive.” WTF? It’s the Rodeo of Rage my friend!

Admin
6 years ago

We all have views that differ from others I expect. I can be conservative in my thinking from time to time, and characterize myself as politically independent. I do, however, ally myself with the Left more often than not. As I said in an earlier post you do love animals old bean, so you can’t be all that Right Wing 🙂

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Professor Mike
6 years ago

😸😸😸👍

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