Left and right: A theoretical definition and its empirical application in the case of Serbia (1990-2014)

Abstract

There are different theoretical understandings and various empirical researches of Left and Right. One can recognize several dimensions of Left and Right: anthropological, i.e. spatial-cognitive; ideological; sociologically-cognitive; theoretical and empirical. There are two basic approaches in studying Left and Right: formalistic, which is ideologically hegemonic and related with political-procedural form, and structural that is ideological underdog related with ideological and social content of the political processes. The first one is strongly empirical, neglects all other dimensions, and considers Left and Right not as concepts, but only as a classification Left-Right, while the second one takes into account all dimensions. The author points out significance of ideological contents: Left is fighting for social equality, and it is necessarily anti-capitalistic (and anti- all previous socioeconomic systems), while Right considers various social hierarchies indispensable for proper function of a society, and it is either pro-capitalist or supports some of previously existing socio-economic systems; Left does not recognize authority of religious dogma or any of churches, while Right needs it; Left is strongly future oriented, and Right is oriented towards past or present; Left looks for alternatives to existing reality, while Right demands continuation of holy traditions; Left supports multiculturalism, practicing of different life-styles and ways of thinking, while Right prefers national or racial homogeneity, conventional family patterns and sexual behaviour. After theoretical considerations, the paper discusses Left and Right in Serbia in 1990-2014 period, which is divided into three sub-periods: 1990-2000; 2000-2012; and the aftermath of the 2012 elections.