Far-left - Definition and Overview

The term far left refers to the relative position a group or person occupies within the political spectrum. It is usually a term relating to extreme left wing ideaology or groups.

In general, it is used to describe persons or groups who hold radical egalitarian views and/or who seek to achieve radical social and political change by taking over or overthrowing the existing order in society. Depending on a group's militancy and the given political circumstances, revolutionary change may be achieved through democratic or totalitarian, violent or nonviolent means.

Typically, far-left groups are communist or anarchist, and they strongly oppose capitalist governments and institutions. Sometimes the term "far left" is used pejoratively by those on the right wing to describe any view they perceive as hostile to capitalism.

The term far left is also used to described left wing groups who ally themselves with anti-humanist forces (such as radical Islamists, antisemitic groups, violent factions and tyrant regime of the third world). [1] (http://www.benadorassociates.com/article/5163) There have been accusations that the Post-September 11 anti-war movement was hijacked by far-left groups and Islamists, damaging the reputation and credibility of the protests. See main article for further discussion.

See also

• left-wing politics
• right-wing politics, far-right
• ideology, Left-Right politics
• Post-September 11 anti-war movement
• Wikipedia: Words to avoid