/r/centerleftpolitics

A place for moderately left leaning people to discuss and share ideas about global politics and world news.

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What is this sub all about?

This community is for center-left people to discuss world news and global politics with like-minded individuals.

Post relevant articles, videos, memes, etc. outside the Discussion Thread. Use the Discussion Thread for more off topic comments. Moderators reserve the right to remove posts at their discretion.

This is NOT a subreddit for debating or a sub for argument and confrontation. If that is what you are looking for, then you are not welcome here. There are plenty of "unity" and "debate" subs out there, feel free to visit those. And there are not many, if any, subreddits for center-left people that haven't been overwhelmed by those farther left or on the right.

If you are not centre-left, you are NOT allowed here. Period. Trolls/brigaders will be banned on sight. If you post on the_donald or chapotraphouse or other similar subreddits, you will be banned.

Democratic Socialists of America and Justice Democrats are NOT center-left. In other words: If you admire politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or Jeremy Corbyn and/or their platforms, this sub isn't what you're looking for.

Be aware that this is not a hate subreddit. Calls for violence against political opponents will be removed and likely get you banned. This is not an ANTIFA LARPing sub, and this is not latestagecapitalism; guillotine and gulag "jokes" will get you a ban. Glorifying death will be punished as well.

This is not /r/politics and low quality posts/articles that don't fit this sub will be removed.

What is the center left?

The center left occupies the area of the political spectrum to the right of the far left or left wing, and to the left of the center.

The center left is made up mostly of Social Liberals and Third Way Social Democrats, ideologies that wish to build upon and enhance capitalism, not tear it down.

Recent examples of center-left politics in action are the the New Democrat Coalition in the United States, and New Labour in the United Kingdom.

Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were the driving forces behind New Labour, and Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were self-described New Democrats.

There are many center-left political parties all over the globe, here are a few good contemporary examples:

-Minjoo Party of Korea

-Orange Democratic Movement in Kenya

-Democrats 66 in the Netherlands

-Liberal Party of Canada

-Democratic Party in the USA

-Liberal Democrats in the UK

-Danish Social Liberal Party

-Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan

-Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan

What makes someone's politics left of center?

There is not any list of defining characteristics of what makes someone politically left of center, but here are some common ideas or themes:

We recognize that capitalism has provided substantial freedom, progress, and growth. However, left to its own devices it is a wild animal in need of taming. Center-leftists support regulated capitalism, NOT laissez-faire.

The center-left are generally in favor of market economies, and want to vastly expand civil rights. It is believed that it is needed and just that the government intervene to address certain economic and social issues.

The center-left prefers incremental change and pragmatism over vast sweeping rapid changes and reforms.

The center-left prefers multilateralism and internationalism over unilateralism and isolation.

Center-left political parties in Europe are strongly Pro-European, the European Union has delivered a lasting peace and economic prosperity to the once war-torn continent. Outside of Europe, the center-left supports other similar political and economic unions.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is one of the most effective keepers of peace and protectors of democracy in the modern world. NATO commits the allies to democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law, as well as to peaceful resolution of disputes. The center-left are supporters of NATO and other treaty organizations.

Intergovernmental organizations like the United Nations maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international co-operation, and are a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.

We have a strong commitment to international trade, we supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the North American Free Trade Agreement, and we will continue to advocate and advance similar international trade deals.

The center left is pro-immigration, and believes in freedom of movement.

Climate change is real, and one of the most pressing dangers to humanity currently. The center-left strongly supports taking action to lessen the damage. One action the vast majority of both environmentalists and economists can agree would be a preventative measure is a carbon tax, a tax on carbon emissions. Beyond that we can continue to move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. We cannot continue to rely on coal and shy away from wind, solar, and nuclear.

Making higher education universally free of charge is actually a regressive policy that benefits the upper and upper middle classes, who can afford to pay for higher education without assistance. We believe in increasing aid to the poorest among us, so that they can be on a level playing field with the privileged.

All of us want universal health care, but there are however different ways to achieve that goal. Single-payer =/= Universal Healthcare. There are multi-payer systems that allow private insurance and government health care to coexist.

This subreddit is a a community in favor of social justice. We are feminists and strongly pro-choice. We support modern civil rights movements like Black Lives Matter and organizations like Planned Parenthood.

We Believe Women.

We are a safe community for LGBT+/queer/GSRM individuals, always.

The members of this subreddit are proud Rainbow Capitalists.

#YIMBY