This is a think-piece.  I hope that it will inspire you to think about its subject matter. Please approach it with an open mind.

Hello Everyone.  I’m going to take a moment to discuss the political right and social hierarchy. 

This is part two of a series discussing what each of these terms means.  Today’s topic concerns the eastern hemisphere of the “political compass.”  The compass, like many others, contains northern, southern, eastern, and western points.  These points represent authoritarianism, anarchy, and the right and left wings, respectively.

So, let’s talk about it.

The Right represents social hierarchy

As mentioned in part 1 and part 2 of this series, the term “right-wing” comes from the French Revolution.  Loyalists sat to the right of the King in court.  They wanted to protect the unequal distribution of power and privilege in society. 

This is social hierarchy.  It refers to a society where individuals have unequal opportunities, rights, and privileges. The right advocates for policies and practices that “conserve” this social hierarchy. We call people with a right-wing ideology “right-wingers” or “conservatives.”

The Right often emphasizes individual success and self-reliance.  Social issues are the result of personal choices rather than systemic inequality. This is called “individualistic rhetoric.” This is one way the Right conserves social hierarchy.  Some people are just better.  They work harder and are more successful. People are where they are in the hierarchy because that’s where they belong.  The divine right of kings.  The self-made billionaire.

The Right also promotes “traditional” values and social norms. They promote an “exclusive” view of what they consider "normal" or "right."  Only some behaviors and identities are “normal” or “right.”  These are placed at the top of the social hierarchy and protected.   Other identities and behaviors are policed.  For example, patriarchy is a traditional hierarchy that celebrates and protects a specific form of masculinity.  It polices femininity and other forms of masculinity. 

Right-wing ideology is pro-autocracy and pro-oligarchy.

Right-wing ideology is often associated with the support of autocracy and oligarchy.  These are prioritize the interests and needs of a few over the many. 

Autocracy comes from the Greek roots autos (himself, herself, themselves) and kratos (power).  It is a system in which a single individual holds all the power and makes all the decisions. Examples include monarchies or dictatorships.   Right-wing ideology often supports autocracy because it values strong leadership.  It wants the best person in power to make quick decisions without the need for consensus or compromise. 

Oligarchy comes from the Greek roots oligos (little, small, few) and arches (to rule).  It is a system in which a small group of individuals hold all the power and influence.  Right-wing ideology often supports oligarchy because it values the accumulation of wealth and power.  It believes that those who have achieved this should be rewarded with political influence.

Feudalism and Free-Market Capitalism are examples of right-wing economies.

Feudalism and Free-Market Capitalism are two examples of right-wing economies that have existed throughout history.

Feudalism was a system of government and economics that dominated much of Europe during the Middle Ages. Under feudalism, landowners held most of the power and wealth. These were usually kings and lords. Serfs worked the land and provided labor in exchange for protection and necessities. They had little to no power. 

This system of government placed a strong emphasis on hierarchy and social order.  Power and status were determined by birthright and social class. It was the dominant economic system in pre-Revolution France. 

Free-market capitalism, on the other hand, is a more modern example.  In a free-market capitalist system, the economy is owned by individuals and corporations.  Businesses are largely free to operate as they see fit, with minimal regulation and interference from the government. The government may only intervene to support these businesses, not to interfere.  This system is often associated with right-wing ideology because it values individualism and self-reliance. It places a strong emphasis on the accumulation of wealth.

The Right raises the quality of life “ceiling.”

Critics of the right argue that it is too focused on individuals and ignores group dynamics.

They claim that there is too great an emphasis on personal solutions to problems that the Left perceives as systemic.  This type of language can be harmful, as it can lead to blaming individuals for their struggles.  Underlying systemic issues go unaddressed, perpetuating struggle.  They also claim that it reduces freedom for the vast majority of the population.

Autocracy can lead to the suppression of dissent and the abuse of power by a single individual. Oligarchy can lead to the same, with a marginally larger group of people in charge.  Both of these minimize the power of those who are not part of the ruling class. 

Right-wing economic systems have been criticized for their potential to exacerbate inequality and harm marginalized communities. Feudalism placed little value on the well-being and autonomy of the working class.  Free-market capitalism leads to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a select few individuals or corporations. They are contrasted with left-wing socialists and social democracies.  They seek to create more equitable distributions of power and resources.

The average person in a left-wing society will have greater freedom than in a right-wing one.  And yet, no individual can reach the heights that a right-wing society can provide.  After all, a king (or a billionaire) has near-unlimited freedom.  There’s next to no one left to tell them no.

The Right will argue that the people at the top are there because they deserve to be there.  They are the “elites” in society.  History is but the accomplishments of a few great men, after all.  Everyone should know their place in society and perform their role well.  If you work hard, the “cream will rise to the top.”

If the left prioritizes group responsibility, the right prioritizes personal responsibility and self-interest.  At the end of the day, the only person you can count on is yourself.  Go earn your right to live.  People should only get what they earn. 

How did this content make you feel?  Please let us know in the comments. If you enjoyed it, please check out some of our other content!  If you would like to get the latest updates, please subscribe and check out our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter profiles.