Why are far-left notions always fashionable?

For many, it is generally accepted that far-left ideologies are tantalisingly alluring, yet unavoidably unworkable. Nevertheless, this does not stop supporters of such movements from promoting the cause as often as they can, in any way they can.

One tactic used by fanatics has always been to hold historical figures hostage, and use them as embodied evidence that their cause is just. One unfortunate victim of this is the renowned author, George Orwell.

The far-left will use him and his writings to promote Socialism, which for the far-left is a convenient and manageable stepping-stone towards Communism. However, centrists and moderates will also use Orwell to denounce the extreme-left dream Communism, for Orwell himself was heavily critical of the USSR, and totalitarian states in general. Even those on the right to far-right can sometimes be seen lauding Orwell, for his traditionalist and even patriotic leanings.

However, regardless of what Orwell would think of his character being cut apart and divided into three, there can be no denying that he detested a great deal of what the current far-left promotes. Many in the far-left community are quick to make excuses for failed far-left states. Often, the blame is put on wars, embargoes, or even on politicians not ‘doing Communism/Socialism correctly’. These excuses are useless, for they only serve to further prove the same point. The point being that, for whatever reason any individual wishes to choose, far-left governments do not work.

So why the constant fascination with the far-left? Unlike the politics of the soft-left, centre and right-wing, the far-left has an almost romantic feel about it. After all, what young idealistic individual doesn’t enjoy the idea of becoming a charismatic revolutionary that leads a generation in overthrowing a ‘despotic’ and ageing system? What young person doesn’t want future generations to look back and see them as a hero who helped usher in a new and better age? These ideas have kept the youth of our species entertained for decades. The younger version of this writer himself being no exception, even coming close to once purchasing the cliche ‘Che’ T-Shirt, before common-sense prevailed. Thankfully for most, with age comes a better understanding, and self-adulation often wanes.

The fact of the matter is, if any of us are ever fortunate enough to speak to a person who once lived under a far-left government, and ask them what it was like to do so, we will no doubt be told to avoid such a living arrangement at all costs. After all, it is all well and good for western anti-Capitalists, ironically wealthy and comfortable, thanks to their Capitalist lifestyles, to venerate Communism and the far-left in general. However, those who have experienced Communism would have a very different story to tell.

Here in the modern west, we are allowed to have opinions on Communism, be they negative or positive. In a Communist state, an opinion on Communism would not be tolerated. Communism would be ‘good’, and there would be no more to it.

So to sum up, it is this writer’s opinion that we should let the young and the idealistic have their love affair with the far-left, but also take great care to make sure that it does not creep any further into wider society. Instead, we should allow it to fester in the shadows, with its far-right cousin. If these extreme notions are allowed to have a place in the light, a darkness could emerge similar to the one that plagued Europe for decades in the first half of the last century.

We, as a species, must not make the same mistakes as those who came before us. They had no experience of Fascism or Communism, or the horrors that come attached to such ideologies. We do. We have no such excuse.