Far-left politics

Far-left politics encompasses movements and ideologies seeking profound transformation beyond conventional left-wing reform, often through opposition to capitalism, class hierarchy, or other entrenched power structures.

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Capitalism: An economic system organized around private ownership, wage labor, and production for profit. Many far-left movements seek to replace or fundamentally transform this system.
Social democracy: A political tradition pursuing social equality and welfare through democratic institutions and regulated capitalism. It seeks substantial reform while generally retaining a capitalist economy.
French Revolution: A period of political upheaval in France beginning in 1789 that ended the monarchy and reshaped European politics. Its radical factions helped establish the political meaning of the left.
Karl Marx: A nineteenth-century philosopher and political economist whose writings shaped communist and socialist movements. His critique of capitalism and theory of class struggle became central to Marxist politics.
Russian Civil War: A conflict from 1917 to 1923 between the Bolshevik government and diverse opponents in the former Russian Empire. Its violence and centralization helped shape the institutions of the new Soviet state.
Socialism: A family of doctrines advocating social or collective control over significant economic resources. It is a broad tradition that includes many, but not all, far-left movements.
Democratic socialism: A political tradition seeking socialism through democratic participation and political institutions. Its democratic commitments distinguish it from currents favoring one-party rule or insurrection.
Communist Manifesto: A political pamphlet written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and published in 1848. It became a foundational statement of revolutionary communism and class struggle.
Friedrich Engels: A German philosopher and political writer who collaborated with Karl Marx and supported socialist movements. He co-authored foundational communist texts and helped develop Marxist theory.
Soviet Union: A federal socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991, ruled by the Communist Party. It became the most consequential state project identified with far-left politics.