who are the left

The term "the left" refers to a political orientation that supports social equality, egalitarianism, and often seeks to reduce or abolish social hierarchies and inequalities. Left-wing politics typically advocate for progressive reforms, greater government intervention in the economy and society to promote fairness, and the protection of disadvantaged groups. Historically, "the left" emerged during the French Revolution to describe those opposing traditional monarchy and supporting democratic and social reforms. The left encompasses a wide range of ideologies, including socialism, social democracy, communism, anarchism, and progressive liberalism. It prioritizes ideas such as freedom, equality, fraternity, rights, progress, and reform. Movements for civil rights, feminism, LGBT rights, environmentalism, and labor unions are generally associated with the left. In contrast to the right, which defends hierarchy, tradition, and authority, the left emphasizes reducing hierarchies and expanding rights and opportunities for all. More specifically, within the left there are groups such as the Progressive Left who hold very liberal views on government size, racial equality, and social justice, often advocating for significant systemic changes and higher taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals to redistribute wealth more fairly. In summary, "the left" is a broad spectrum of political ideologies and movements united by the commitment to greater social equality, justice, and often, democratic reforms aiming to empower the collective people over entrenched hierarchies of power and privilege.