A Proper Explanation of the Political Spectrum
I am shocked when the tag extreme or far right wing is applied to certain groups. In truth, it is anarchists who occupy the extreme right wing of the political spectrum.
The difference between those on the right wing of the political spectrum and those on the left has to do with the following questions.
(1) Is government viewed as good / competent or bad / incompetent?
(2) Should the government use force to achieve its goals?
Left Wing:
Those on the left believe government is basically good and that it can competently implement policies to achieve its goals. Therefore government is justified in using force to achieve its ends.
Right Wing:
Those on the right believe government is either bad or incompetent. Government use of force is both immoral and destructive.
This correct understanding of the political spectrum places anarchists on the extreme right. They believe that any government is bad and that, if it exists, government should never use force.
Libertarians believe that, while some government is necessary, the role of government must be narrowly defined and its powers strictly limited. Government force should only be used in cases where an individual or group used deception or unjustified force to violate the rights of others.
Republicans and Democrats believe in the same things with different emphasis. Republicans believe in an unlimited warfare state, a limited welfare state, and government imposed traditional values. Democrats believe in a moderate warfare state, a vast welfare state, and government imposed non-traditional values. Both groups believe in at least some due process to limit the use of government force.
Socialists and fascists both believe in the police state and unlimited government power over the people. But they disagree on the narrative of who is good and who is bad. To socialists the workers and the politicians who supposedly represent them are good. Business owners are bad. To fascists those who belong to a given identity group (racial, national, religious,etc) are good and outsiders are bad. However, both socialists and fascists support unfettered application of government force.
Some people mistakenly label Nazis as extreme right wingers. This label is incorrect. Nazis favor big, powerful government that is unlimited in its use of force. In fact Nazis are extreme left wingers.
Since socialists and fascists are violently opposed to one another the left wing simply has two branches. One for socialists and one for fascists.
The terms "left" and "right" refer to a persons position in relation to a king.
Libertarians aren't on this spectrum because libertarians aren't looking to the king or government for answers.
The terms left and right came from the French Revolution when there was a king to oppose. But there is no king to oppose in present day America. And those labels are still in use. The conclusion that we can draw is that terms continuously evolve after their initial meaning is established.
That is certainly true for other words. The original meaning of a liberal was someone who was in favor of less government and more individual freedom. But today we see the liberal left insisting on restrictions on free speech, using violence to shut down speakers with whom they disagree, seeking to dispense with political enemies by undermining due process, and proudly supporting a political system (i.e. socialism) that rejects any concept of individual rights.
Libertarians are on the spectrum. If you look at the chart I constructed it will tell you where to find them. I hope you get some exposure to what they have to say.