what is a leftist

A leftist is someone who generally supports progressive or socialist ideas aimed at promoting economic and social equality. Leftists favor bigger government intervention and policies that reduce inequality through wealth redistribution, expanded social programs, and stronger worker protections. They often support systemic changes to address social and economic disparities and emphasize collective well-being over individual success. The term "leftist" originates from the political left, which historically referred to members of the French revolutionary parliament who supported revolutionary and democratic ideas. In modern contexts, leftists are typically associated with ideologies that challenge traditional elites, emphasize social welfare, and often align with socialism or communism. They tend to prioritize government involvement in the economy and social reforms that promote equality and justice. Leftists differ from liberals in that they often advocate for more radical or systemic changes to society, while liberals usually support gradual reforms within existing systems. Left-wing politics broadly encompasses ideologies that seek social equality and oppose social hierarchies, ranging from center-left reformism to far-left revolutionary ideologies. The political spectrum of the left includes social democrats, socialists, anarchists, communists, and others who aim to restructure power dynamics to achieve greater social and economic fairness. In summary, a leftist is someone who supports significant social and economic changes aimed at reducing inequality and promoting collective welfare, often through increased government intervention and sometimes radical reforms.