In less than two years, we will have another presidential election. While most of the discussion is centered on winning and winnability, there are some who are already discussing the possibility of forming parties based on an ideology. Politics can often be described using a simple line that runs from left to right. Although political beliefs are more complicated than a simple line, the terms ‘left, right, center’ remain useful for understanding differences in political ideology.
The term ‘right’ refers to political groups that are usually supportive of the existing order. In the Philippines, this would refer to parties that believe in the existing political framework that supports political dynasties, the rule of the elite and the use of patronage as a political tool.
The term ‘left of center’ refers to political beliefs which are more progressive than the political right but are not considered radical or far left.
Cambridge Dictionary describes the left of center as containing some socialist ideas without being extreme. In general therefore, center left politics emphasizes social equality, democratic institutions, workers’ rights, social welfare, civil liberties and government action to reduce economic and social inequality.
The origin of this left to right political spectrum is traceable to the French Revolution of 1789. Members of the French National Assembly gradually became divided according to where they sat. Supporters of the monarchy and the existing order tended to sit on the right side of the presiding officer, while supporters of revolutionary change and greater political equality sat on the left. Moderates occupied the center.
Over time, this physical seating arrangement became a political metaphor used throughout Europe and, eventually, around the world. The phrase ‘left of center’ is much more recent as an English political expression. The Merriam-Webster dictionary records its first known use in 1934.
The political left developed considerably during the 19th and 20th century at the time of the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization created enormous differences between wealthy industrialists and the working classes, leading to the growth of labor unions, socialism, trade unionism and social democracy. It is important to distinguish between the center left from the revolutionary communism, or the far left.
Center left movements generally accept democratic elections and political pluralism and usually seek to reform capitalism rather than abolish it.
One of the most important center left ideology is social democracy. Social democrats generally accept a market economy but argue that government must regulate markets and provide public services to prevent excessive inequality. They commonly support progressive taxation, universal health care, public education, unemployment protection, labor rights, pension and social security.
Another related tradition is Social Liberalism which combines individual freedom and liberal democracy with policies designed to promote social equality.
Democratic Socialism can overlap with the center left, although some democratic socialists advocate more fundamental changes to economic ownership and therefore may be positioned further to the left of the political spectrum.
Examples of center left political positions can be seen in many policy areas. Economically, a center left government may support higher minimum wages, stronger labor protection, progressive taxation, public health care and greater investment in education.
Environmentally, center left movements often support climate policies and a transition toward renewable energy while attempting to balance environmental goals with employment and economic development.
Politically, they generally support democratic institutions, constitutional governments, a genuinely independent judiciary.
There are many examples of political parties associated with the left of center, although their exact ideological positions vary from country to country. In the United Kingdom, the Labour Party is historically associated with the political left and identifies equality, social justice and compassion among its values. In Spain, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party represent a major social democratic tradition and has been an important force with European center left politics. In Germany, the Social Democratic Party is another major historical social democratic party. In the United States, the Democratic Party is generally considered center left compared with the Republican Party, although the Democratic Party is actually a coalition that includes centrists, liberals, progressives and democratic socialists.
Left of center politics is not a single ideology. It is better understood as a broad political area. A social liberal may strongly emphasize civil liberties, human rights and equal opportunity. A social democrat may place greater emphasis on welfare programs and labor rights. A democratic socialist may want substantially greater public or collective ownership of the economy. These groups can cooperate while still disagreeing about how far economic and social change can and should go.
Some principles associated with the left of center can even be found in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, especially its provisions on social justice. Article XIII calls for measures that reduce social and economic inequalities and provides protection for labor and workers’ rights. This does not make the Philippine Constitution a ‘leftwing’ document but it demonstrates that concerns about equality, social protection and economic justice are part of the country’s constitutional democratic framework.
Being left of center does not mean being communist, revolutionary or opposed to capitalism. It means favoring democratic and progressive reforms that make society more equal and inclusive, while maintaining democratic institutions.
Ultimately, the central question of left of center politics is how political and economic power should be organized so that freedom, dignity, opportunity and social justice are made available to all members of society.