THE LIMITS OF LEFT AND RIGHT: A CALL FOR NEW WAYS OF THINKING

I’ve had conversations with people from across the ideological spectrum—ranging from the far-left to the far-right—and without a doubt, I believe EVERY one of them would answer “YES” to all of these questions. If individuals with such differing viewpoints share common answers to fundamental aspects of life, then how is it that we have allowed ourselves to descend into torture or even murder over the divide between right and left?

In my view, the root of the problem lies in the fact that each of us is determined to protect our own interests, and all too often, we’re unwilling to compromise. Let’s consider a classic example of seemingly irreconcilable interests: a business owner seeks to maximize profits, which often means cutting labor costs. Meanwhile, an employee wants higher wages and better benefits. Throughout history, do you think that business owners and employees have ever sought out solutions where both parties benefit, even if each had to make concessions? Regardless of how you feel about this, I think we can all agree that a business cannot thrive without the talent and labor of its employees, just as workers can’t survive without the jobs that businesses provide. So, what is the point of the endless cycle of criticism between employers (who often represent the right) and employees (who often represent the letf) ? In the end, both parties share the same overarching goals when it comes to quality of life, as evidenced by their answers to the questions above.

Let’s dig a little deeper into how these shared goals play out in real-world scenarios: If business owners in a particular region pay low wages, they increase the likelihood that working class people will resort to crime, which ultimately raises insecurity for everyone, including the business owners themselves. Even the wealthiest individual, living with bodyguards, will see their quality of life diminished by the effects of increased crime. On the other hand, if workers demand benefits that businesses cannot provide due to unfavorable economic conditions, this could lead to a contraction in the job market. If everyone took a moment to reflect on this —considering how the unchecked protection of one’s own interests can undermine common goals— it would be clear that both business owners and employees have a vested interest in finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.

Let’s not be misled: there are countless solutions waiting to be found. However, because we insist on framing everything in terms of right versus left, we convince ourselves that the answers are limited or even non-existent. I understand the fear of making mistakes, but history offers us innumerable examples—both victories and failures—from which we can learn. These lessons help us to craft solutions that are adapted to the realities of each specific situation, with a higher likelihood of success.

With that in mind, I’d like to make two important calls:

First, to the leaders of nations: Please, step forward with truly innovative proposals—ideas that center around improving the quality of life for all people, not just a select few.

Second, to the world: Let’s remember that we share common purposes that unite us. Let’s not allow the limiting labels of right and left to divide us. Unity is key to the progress and development of every family, community, organization, and nation.