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[ICKE]

Obviously there are exceptions like Syriza (abnormal circumstances) but it feels like left-wing parties are not able to convince this generation of voters that they have answers for our current economic and social problems.

This week was another blowout. In Finland the left-wing parties only received around 25% of the vote. Yesterday Tories basically crushed Labor and we all know what the situation in France and Germany is. Austerity measures might not be popular among voters but I suppose people want balanced budgets and believe public spending is too high these days?

What are the realistic options at this point? Readjustment and more conservative economic policies? More aggressive immigration policies in order to gain voters from populist parties?

 

[G.ZZZ]

Rich propaganda work, poors can't afford propaganda, so you have that. Not that the places where the "left" has been elected are anywhere near left-wing in term of policies (Italy is still on the good old cut on schools and healtcare because we like to shit our economy).

 

[kinggroin]

Because they're the bomb

 

[Chairmanchuck]

Obviously there are exceptions like Syriza (abnormal circumstances) but it feels like left-wing parties are not able to convince this generation of voters that they have answers for our current economic and social problems.

This week was another blowout. In Finland the left-wing parties only received around 25% of the vote. Yesterday Tories basically crushed Labor and we all know what the situation in France and Germany is. Austerity measures might not be popular among voters but I suppose people want balanced budgets and believe public spending is too high these days?

What are the realistic options at this point? Readjustment and more conservative economic policies? More aggressive immigration policies in order to gain voters from populist parties?

At least the left wing party in Germany has some dubious members and some strange ideas.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Labour in the UK had weak leadership heavily associated with the reviled blair/brown era.

They were very much yesterdays men

 

[suedester]

Because the majority of people don't believe you can spend yourself out of an economic crisis.

 

[Chariot]

At least the left wing party in Germany has some dubious members and some strange ideas.

Yup.
I personally like Mr Gysis style and speeches. But the party itself is super silly. From supporting Israel no mattet what crime that contries is doing, just because they want contrast themselves fron nazid by supporting jews to their ridicilous maximum demands. Normal parties can barely fullfill realistic promises, but the ones of Die Linke? No way im hell. These people will burn themselves at power should they ever wield it.

And generally there are people who link The Linke to the GDR.

 

[El Topo]

At least the left wing party in Germany has some dubious members and some strange ideas.

The other, much bigger "left-wing" party (or rather centre-left), responsibly for a lot of austerity measures, is also called "Verräterpartei" ("Party of traitors") by certain critics.
The smaller left wing party is just not very appealing for all sorts of reasons.

 

[Succinct Verbosity]

Labour in the UK had weak leadership heavily associated with the reviled blair/brown era.

They were very much yesterdays men

On that note, I'd argue the huge swings away from labour to the Scottish nationalists is because they aren't left wing any more.

 

[Dr. Benton Quest]

Because the majority of people don't believe you can spend yourself out of an economic crisis.

Yeah, because massive government economies should be balanced just like your checkbook.

What is this shit?

 

[Chariot]

The other, much bigger "left-wing" party (or rather centre-left), responsibly for a lot of austerity measures, is also called "Verräterpartei" ("Party of traitors") by certain critics.
The smaller left wing party is just not very appealing for all sorts of reasons.

Wait, you're not talking about the SPD, do you?

 

[HarryHengst]

Because most leftwing parties are milquetoast "the truth is in the middle" centrist shit or worse, right-wing in disguise.

 

[El Topo]

Wait, you're not talking about the SPD, do you?

What other party in Germany has that nickname?

 

[twobear]

The right control the media, so they control the 'facts'. I see no end in sight. The left wing in the UK is certainly dead, perhaps across Europe too.

 

[HarryHengst]

If a party doesnt call capitalism a terrible system that should be abolished (lol lets create an economic system that requires unlimited growth while lving on a world with limited resources what can go wrong) and does not call for a form of democratic socialism, it should not be called a left-wing party.

 

[Chariot]

What other party in Germany has that nickname?

Didn't hear that one yet. But I live in Hamburg, where we almost have a SPD majority again
But yeah, I wouldn't call them a leftwing party anymore. Leftish at best. They are left only in name and history.

 

[Mass_Pincup]

Here in France we elected our president from the biggest left wing party (Partie Socialiste) and they proved themselves to be no better then the right wing.

Our current president might be the one with the lowest approvement from the population of all time.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

On that note, I'd argue the huge swings away from labour to the Scottish nationalists is because they aren't left wing any more.

That and they've taken scottish victory for granted ever since the tory party introduced the poll tax and kissed their chances of winning there goodbye for a generation.

 

[excelsiorlef]

Because left wing politicians really don't exist.

 

[Moff]

in my country, they're completely incompetent and unorganized. I feel bad voting them, but at least they somehow share my views.

 

[fwoibles]

Wait, you're not talking about the SPD, do you?

Oh high heavens, which other party could he talk about?

My guess is because of their younger past - broad "extreme" left wing politics only dissolved after the collapse of the soviet union, the countries carrying these politics on in their own way are proving no good example (cuba to some extent) or still downright frightening (north korea and it's supposed communism).
They have not had time to position themselves in the center.

The german "The Left"-party sounds incredibly sexy in the current climate - I hope it's not just in the opposition where the grass is always greener, get voted in and be corrupted by power.

 

[OldAsUrSock]

If a party doesnt call capitalism a terrible system that should be abolished (lol lets create an economic system that requires unlimited growth while lving on a world with limited resources what can go wrong) and does not call for a form of democratic socialism, it should not be called a left-wing party.

Well they are striving towards socialist ideals, so they are left-wing, but there is no way full socialism will be implemented soon with how demonized a communistic economic system had been treated in the 20th century.

 

[Acosta]

Our "left" is no left anymore, so many leftists simply don't vote. If the only option is between communism and some kind of watered down socialism that is almost the same that what conservative offers, many people stay home.

 

[oti]

Oh high heavens, which other party could he talk about?

What's the Die Bier Partei up to lately?

 

[G.O.O.]

what do you mean ?

and spain's left has a good chance iirc

 

[terrisus]

If a party doesnt call capitalism a terrible system that should be abolished

 

[Night Hunter]

Because every big socialist/social democratic party in Europe has abandoned their principles and now does what the conservative parties do, only worse.

 

[Mr. RHC]

what do you mean ?

and spain's left has a good chance iirc

Those Labour parties are centrist.

Because left wing politicians really don't exist.

.

 

[G.O.O.]

Those Labour parties are centrist.

That doesn't mean much imo

 

[KillerMan91]

Didn't left wing have massive victory in Sweden though?

 

[Chariot]

Oh high heavens, which other party could he talk about?

Some feel betrayed by the APPD *smugly smiling shrug emoticon*

 

[PdotMichael]

Looking at the traditional goals of the left. Europe is pretty left wing oriented. Not sure how left do you want it.

 

[Byakuya769]

Probably has something to do with declining native birth rates and increased immigration. Public spending feels better when it's on "your people" and not "them."

 

[Mangoverboard]

Europe is having a tough time. Conservative parties tend to take better care of the economy. Left wing parties fare much better in the good times.

 

[sankao]

Far right took over the blue collar demographics that used to vote left in France.

 

[caesar]

Because they arent left wing.

 

[sobaka770]

Because right now in Europe simply, the left-wing views are not very popular.

It is very hard to compare it to USA politics, but in Europe, the right-wing is not as far right as Republicans and left wing is all over the place.

Right now in Europe most welfare programs are already very good to the point of creating a backlash. There is a big anti-immigration wave going on as well as an economic crisis during which the left-wing ideas of spending money on basically helping the poor achieve equality are not popular.

Just look at France, their left-wing president and the whole "leftist" form of government made a country where a huge amount of workforce is employed by the government, nobody can get fired because the unions are so strong, the tax rate for rich is at exorbitant rates yet there are tons of programs to assist the jobless, the immigrants etc. This means that if you're poor, France is not a bad place to be, since there are a lot of programs to help you, but there is also no incentive to create wealth and become richer, because the system will bring you down.

I think that politics and worldview are a bit like a pendulum with occasional swings to one side or another. America is way too capitalistic to the point of creating a cutthroat environment, while France is closer to communism than USSR ever was. Both cases are unsustainable since both ideologies at their absolute don't work, therefore the opinion will swing to the other direction (of course taking into account historical and cultural tendencies this correction may be strong or mild, I don't expect USA to have strong worker unions any time soon just as much as France abolishing the right to strike).

 

[OldAsUrSock]

Because right now in Europe simply, the left-wing views are not very popular.

It is very hard to compare it to USA politics, but in Europe, the right-wing is not as far right as Republicans and left wing is all over the place.

Right now in Europe most welfare programs are already very good to the point of creating a backlash. There is a big anti-immigration wave going on as well as an economic crisis during which the left-wing ideas of spending money on basically helping the poor achieve equality are not popular.

Just look at France, their left-wing president and the whole "leftist" form of government made a country where a huge amount of workforce is employed by the government, nobody can get fired because the unions are so strong, the tax rate for rich is at exorbitant rates yet there are tons of programs to assist the jobless, the immigrants etc. This means that if you're poor, France is not a bad place to be, since there are a lot of programs to help you, but there is also no incentive to create wealth and become richer, because the system will bring you down.

I think that politics and worldview are a bit like a pendulum with occasional swings to one side or another. America is way too capitalistic to the point of creating a cutthroat environment, while France is closer to communism than USSR ever was. Both cases are unsustainable since both ideologies at their absolute don't work, therefore the opinion will swing to the other direction (of course taking into account historical and cultural tendencies this correction may be strong or mild, I don't expect USA to have strong worker unions any time soon just as much as France abolishing the right to strike).

As it should be. Amassing wealth does not do the economy any good. Money flowing is what aids the economy.

 

[Photolysis]

Yesterday Tories basically crushed Labor

Only because the SNP took almost all Scottish seats, where a lot of Labour's power traditionally lies. Not to belittle Cameron's achievement, given he's gone from a hung parliament to a small majority, and what he inherited from the previous parliament when he became PM.

Put it this way, if Scotland had become independent, Labour would probably never get elected ever again.

Labour also nearly bankrupted this country with their careless running up of debt. Why would people think they're the answer?

 

[Mr. RHC]

Only because the SNP took almost all Scottish seats, where a lot of Labour's power traditionally lies.

Even if Labour had won all Scottish seats the Conservatives would have a 42 seats lead.

Labour was crushed indeed.

 

[jay]

Because the majority of people don't believe you can spend yourself out of an economic crisis.

The majority of people have never heard of Keynesian economics.

 

[PdotMichael]

The majority of people have never heard of Keynesian economics.

But many people know the result of realworld Keynesian economics.

 

[bomma_man]

The right has been in charge for most of the history of civilisation.

Why only talk about Europe btw? Chuck in the whole anglosphere too. Abbott, key, harper, the republican congress...

 

[RubberJohnny]

This article in the Washington post explains the problem of what happens to social-democratic parties who move to the right.

We have a lot of evidence now as to how this works; they gain short-term success from right-leaning voters who flirt with them, alienate their base left-leaning constituency, and then the right-leaning ones abandon them for the Genuine Brand right-wing parties while the left-leaners don't come back to them. This is exactly what's happened to Labour and it's happening to every other European social-democratic party which went neoliberal. They've fucked themselves and they only have themselves to blame.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Because they don't actually target the mainstream.

 

[Kevyt]

I'm under the impression that right wing parties are not as extreme as the ones in yhe US. They would be considered moderates in the US.

Because right now in Europe simply, the left-wing views are not very popular.

It is very hard to compare it to USA politics, but in Europe, the right-wing is not as far right as Republicans and left wing is all over the place.

Right now in Europe most welfare programs are already very good to the point of creating a backlash. There is a big anti-immigration wave going on as well as an economic crisis during which the left-wing ideas of spending money on basically helping the poor achieve equality are not popular.

Just look at France, their left-wing president and the whole "leftist" form of government made a country where a huge amount of workforce is employed by the government, nobody can get fired because the unions are so strong, the tax rate for rich is at exorbitant rates yet there are tons of programs to assist the jobless, the immigrants etc. This means that if you're poor, France is not a bad place to be, since there are a lot of programs to help you, but there is also no incentive to create wealth and become richer, because the system will bring you down.

I think that politics and worldview are a bit like a pendulum with occasional swings to one side or another. America is way too capitalistic to the point of creating a cutthroat environment, while France is closer to communism than USSR ever was. Both cases are unsustainable since both ideologies at their absolute don't work, therefore the opinion will swing to the other direction (of course taking into account historical and cultural tendencies this correction may be strong or mild, I don't expect USA to have strong worker unions any time soon just as much as France abolishing the right to strike).

This is very insightful.

 

[TedNindo]

All the nations are in debt. And most of it is because of leftwing government spending.

Also the working class doesn't support the left parties like they used to. More conservative parties make more sense to them. Most leftwing voters are middleclass educated or artistic city dwellers.

Even many imigrants vote for conservative liberal parties.

The majority votes center and the left lost votes to the right. Who's policies make more sense to the working class.

 

[Business]

Rich propaganda work, poors can't afford propaganda, so you have that. Not that the places where the "left" has been elected are anywhere near left-wing in term of policies (Italy is still on the good old cut on schools and healtcare because we like to shit our economy).

 

[SolidusDave]

Because in Europe the left parties are already bordering the other extreme of the spectrum.

It's all about center, baby. (basically all the main European big parties. In addition, filter out the ones valuing conservative/christian values and you are good to go)

 

[Oersted]

Yup.
I personally like Mr Gysis style and speeches. But the party itself is super silly. From supporting Israel no mattet what crime that contries is doing, just because they want contrast themselves fron nazid by supporting jews to their ridicilous maximum demands. Normal parties can barely fullfill realistic promises, but the ones of Die Linke? No way im hell. These people will burn themselves at power should they ever wield it.

And generally there are people who link The Linke to the GDR.

On the contruary actually and they get shit for that. I'm genuinely amazed that you got this so completely wrong.