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Few notions are as universal as the idea of a left-right divide in politics. Despite its death being frequently foretold, the left-right metaphor remains the most common lens through which to interpret political life locally, nationally and globally. Left and Right in Global Politics argues that the left-right divide connects these different levels into a world political debate. Interpreting the left-right dichotomy as an enduring debate about equality, Noël and Thérien analyse opinion polls and social discourses to demonstrate how this debate shapes both individual and collective views of public affairs. Setting their findings in a historical perspective, they then show that for more than two centuries the conflict between progressives and conservatives has structured both domestic and international politics. They conclude by discussing the implications of their argument for the analysis of world politics, and contend that the left-right opposition is here to stay.
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This page intentionally left blank Left and Right in Global Politics Few notions are as universal as the idea of a left–right divide in politics. Despite its death being frequently foretold, the left–right metaphor remains the most common lens through which to interpret political life locally, nationally, and globally. Left and Right in Global Politics argues that the left–right divide connects these different levels in a world political debate. Interpreting the left–right dichotomy as an enduring debate about equality, Noe¨l and The´rien analyze opinion polls and social discourses to demonstrate how this debate shapes both individual and collective views of public affairs. Setting their findings in a historical perspective, they then show that for more than two centuries the conflict between progressives and conservatives has structured both domestic and international politics. They conclude by discussing the implications of their argument for the analysis of world politics, and contend that the left–right opposition is here to stay. is Professor in the Department of Political Science of the Universite´ de Montre´al. A L A I N N O E¨ L J E A N - P H I L I P P E T H E´ R I E N is Professor in the Department of Political Science of the Universite´ de Montre´al. Left and Right in Global Politics ALAIN NOËL and JEAN-PHILIPPE THÉRIEN Universite´ de Montre´al CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521880015 © Alain Noel and Jean-Philippe Therien 2008 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published in print format 2008 ISBN-13 978-0-511-41017-8 eBook (NetLibrary) ISBN-13 978-0-521-88001-5 hardback ISBN-13 978-0-521-70583-7 paperback Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Contents List of tables page vi List of figures vii Acknowledgements viii Introduction 1 A clash over equality 1 6 2 A worldwide value divide 32 3 Two tales of globalization 56 4 The rise of the modern state