The spelling of the term "New Leftist" is straight forward. The word "new" is spelled /nu/ while the word "Leftist" is spelled /lɛftɪst/. The term refers to a political movement that emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s, advocating for radical social change and opposing forms of authority. The New Leftists were particularly active in the anti-war, civil rights, and feminist movements. Despite some spelling challenges, "New Leftist" is a well-recognized term in contemporary political discourse.
The term "New Leftist" refers to a member or supporter of a contemporary political movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily during the 1960s and 1970s. The New Leftist movement emerged as a response to the perceived failures and shortcomings of the traditional Left, particularly the Communist and Marxist movements.
New Leftists are characterized by their emphasis on social justice, civil liberties, and participatory democracy. They seek to address issues of inequality, oppression, and discrimination, often focusing on social and cultural concerns, while also recognizing the importance of economic justice. The movement goes beyond the traditional class struggle narratives of the Left, incorporating issues such as gender, race, and sexuality into their analysis.
New Leftists are critical of established political institutions, advocating for radical change and challenging the status quo. They often organize themselves through grassroots movements and engage in direct action, protests, and other forms of political activism to bring attention to their causes.
The New Leftist movement also embraces anti-imperialism and opposes war, militarism, and colonialism. They place importance on the sovereignty of nations and advocate for global solidarity among marginalized communities across the world.
The term "New Leftist" is often used to distinguish this movement from the older, more orthodox forms of Leftist politics. It signifies a break from traditional Marxist and communist ideologies, and represents a more nuanced and inclusive approach to social and political change.
The term "New Leftist" is derived from the words "new" and "leftist", both of which have separate origins:
1. New: The word "new" originated from the Old English word "neowe", which evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "newjaz". Its root can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European base word "newos". "New" refers to something recently created or discovered, contrasting with what existed before.
2. Leftist: The term "leftist" or "left-wing" emerged during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. During the French Revolution, supporters of the republic and radical social change sat on the left side of the National Assembly, while conservatives and supporters of the monarchy sat on the right side. This political division gave rise to the descriptors "left-wing" and "right-wing".