The extraordinary seductiveness of the left
Many people on the right hate the left, and the feeling is entirely mutual. I believe, however, that more people on the right find the left simply inexplicable.They cannot understand how people manage to wrap themselves into such ideological contortions on behalf of ideas that appear to be not just bizarre but utterly insane, such as that men and become women and vice-versa; that a tiny Jewish state somehow rules the world; that an ideology historically proven a failure can somehow work the next time around; that bad urban governance can be cured by more bad urban governance; that officials who have never worked a real job can somehow run vast industries better than those who have; that taking guns away from the law-abiding can prevent gun violence by the criminal; and so on.The truth, however, is that the appeal of the left is not inexplicable. In fact, there is…
The article explores the inherent seductiveness of left-wing ideology, which often puzzles those on the right. The author argues that the left's appeal stems from two primary factors:
- Redemptive Hope: Unlike the conservative view that the world's problems are largely unchangeable, the left fundamentally believes in the world's improvement and ultimate redemption, often expressed by the slogan, "The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice." This offers hope, a powerful human commodity, and fosters community and optimism. This belief is deeply rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition.
- Intense Moralism: The left operates with absolute moral certainty, viewing its ethos of compassion, egalitarianism, and justice as the only moral approach. This Manichean worldview divides the world into forces of good and evil, making leftists feel part of a righteous crusade, which can lead to a "thrilling righteousness" and, in extreme cases, justify violence.
The author concludes that the left, despite its potential for unrealistic or counterproductive ideologies, is an inevitable product of Western civilization, drawing on deep theological and philosophical forces, and cannot be simply dismissed or effaced by the right.
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