Leftists vs. Progressives

Attribute	Leftists	Progressives
Ideology	Believe in radical change to achieve equality	Believe in gradual reform within the system
Economic Views	Tend to be more socialist or communist	Tend to support social welfare programs
Social Issues	Focus on social justice and equality	Advocate for civil rights and equality
Political Strategy	May support more radical tactics	Prefer working within existing political structures

Beliefs and Values

Leftists and Progressives share many similar beliefs and values, such as advocating for social justice, equality, and environmental sustainability. Both groups are often critical of capitalism and support policies that aim to reduce income inequality and provide a safety net for those in need. However, Leftists tend to have more radical views and are more likely to support revolutionary change, while Progressives typically work within the existing political system to achieve their goals.

Approach to Change

Leftists and Progressives differ in their approach to creating change. Leftists are more likely to engage in direct action, such as protests, strikes, and civil disobedience, to challenge the status quo and push for systemic change. Progressives, on the other hand, are more likely to work within the political system, supporting candidates and policies that align with their values and using traditional channels of advocacy to bring about change.

Focus on Identity Politics

Both Leftists and Progressives are committed to advancing social justice and equality, but they may differ in their approach to identity politics. Leftists tend to prioritize class struggle and economic inequality as the primary drivers of social injustice, while Progressives may place more emphasis on issues related to race, gender, sexuality, and other forms of identity-based oppression. This difference in focus can lead to varying strategies and priorities within the broader progressive movement.

Attitude Towards the Establishment

Leftists and Progressives often have a critical stance towards the political establishment and corporate power. However, Leftists are more likely to reject the existing political system as irredeemable and advocate for more radical forms of change, such as socialism or anarchism. Progressives, on the other hand, may be more willing to work within the existing system to achieve incremental reforms and improvements, while still pushing for more transformative change over the long term.

Internationalism vs. Nationalism

Leftists tend to have a more internationalist perspective, emphasizing solidarity with oppressed peoples around the world and critiquing imperialism and global capitalism. Progressives, while also concerned with global issues, may place more emphasis on national politics and policies that directly impact their own country. This difference in focus can lead to varying priorities and strategies when it comes to advocating for social justice and progressive change.

Intersectionality and Inclusivity

Both Leftists and Progressives are committed to promoting inclusivity and intersectionality in their activism and advocacy. They recognize the interconnected nature of various forms of oppression and strive to create spaces that are welcoming and supportive of people from diverse backgrounds. However, Leftists may prioritize class struggle and economic inequality in their analysis of oppression, while Progressives may place more emphasis on identity-based forms of discrimination and marginalization.

Conclusion

While Leftists and Progressives share many common values and goals, they may differ in their approach to creating change, their focus on identity politics, their attitude towards the establishment, their internationalist vs. nationalist perspectives, and their emphasis on intersectionality and inclusivity. Both groups play important roles in advancing social justice and progressive change, and their differences can contribute to a more diverse and dynamic progressive movement.