this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2026
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The modern left-right discourse is just so confusing to me.
I've seen authoritarians, supporters of war crimes, and support for terrorism and cruelty, all claimed as leftist positions. I can't reconcile them with what I thought left-wing values were about.
I really think we need something with more dimensions to be popularized. The left-right system is just so loaded at this point. I personally can't identify with either side at all.
as you recognized, this is a 2 coordinate system, and the split is between left-libertarian and left-authoritarian. your confusion lets me take a guess and say you sit in the US, where the libertarian/authoritaran axis has been compressed by the 2-party system, which is like putting too many cats at once in a small box - you get infighting, at least on the left; the right has the same, but the infighting between right-authoritarians(fascists) and left-auths(tankies) takes backseat. while the libertarian part is discussing in what type of society they want to live, the authoritarian part is primarily occupied with securing power, mostly followed by internal purges.
Your problem is that you're an idealist and you think ideas can be translated into practice just by having the correct ideas. Reality is not like that, fascists will play dirty and capitalists will play dirty and you can't win at their own game.
(Alt-)"Left" != Left, and in fact shares far more in common with Right (aka: fascism).
Sure, if you're a politically illiterate centrist
For clarity, stethoscope theory is bullshit based on vibes. Communists support collectivizing production and distribution, and support states where the working classes are in charge, including their right to build up defensive mechanisms to protect the gains of socialism. This is entirely incompatible with the right-wing, who seek to maintain the dominion of capitalism.
Do you support Russia invading Ukraine because it epic pwns NATO?
or
Do you agree Russia is engaging in genocide of Ukrainians, ex. forced relocation of children?
Yeah, I absolutely agree. I guess this is one of the reasons these "inter left" discussions are so exhausting.