As a country, we are divided more than ever, and it boils down to a lot more than just the left side of the political spectrum versus the right. Recently, there has been a resurfacing in labels and what exactly they mean. The political left is becoming divided by increasingly specific political labels, some of which include liberal, leftist, socialist, conservative, anarchist, radical, progressive, etc. These labels are fueling the flames of internal conflict amongst the left, leaving people confused, discouraged and less likely to get involved in political activism. Instead, they shame people based on their beliefs rather than educating themselves and others.
Labels are designed to create belonging, understanding and community, but right now these labels are pushing people away. According to polls conducted by Gallup, over the past few years, partisans – strong supporters of certain political parties – have faced a growing divide. Part of this isolation and confusion stems from the misunderstanding of certain labels’ meanings.
People quickly throw around terms without completely understanding them, specifically on social media platforms. These terms are often conflated with each other or co-opted by political opponents hindering their explanatory power. To understand where the division is, it is important to understand what the common terms and phrases mean.
“Liberal” is the term that is thrown around by political opponents in regard to the extreme left, but that is not what it stands for. Being liberal does not make you an extremist of any sort, nor should it be used as an insult. This is where the confusion comes in. Liberalism focuses on individual rights, equality and gradual progress. Simply, liberals push for reform and change but not a revolution. It is a philosophy often associated with traditional Democrats.
“Leftist” is a label that has been around for a while but has been specifically used in discourse after the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The label is formed around leftism and the ideals of economic equality, anti-capitalism and systemic reform or revolution. Leftists often view liberals as “too central” or “right-leaning.” This alone has created a spreading hierarchy and hot debate on social media.
Online spaces like TikTok, Instagram and X are primary sources for political engagement but are also breeding grounds for misinformation. This has a large part to do with the algorithms on each application. People post snippets of their opinions or takes on subjects without identifying sources or even giving an explanation. Social media rewards controversy and loud opinions more than videos or comments that aspire to educate and inform. Because of this, labels have become closer to pejorative terms, or social markers, than useful tools for identification of beliefs.
All it takes is a simple search on TikTok to see a mix of confusing comments. Even just searching “leftist” brings you to a comment section filled with comments like, “this entire situation made me a leftist,” or comments saying that liberals are not even on the left, rather they are center-right. This divide is not new in the slightest but it is a rising issue, and one with political consequence.
When voters and members of the same party cannot agree on core values, the entire movement can become obsolete or lose momentum. Vision of Humanity, a global news institute, expressed that since 2024, voters have heightened their distaste in traditional parties and have since aspired to find a place among different groups.
Arguing over ideological stances makes the left unable to unite for change. We should be lessening the fight amongst ourselves and instead inspiring involvement. Debating definitions or spreading shame on people who are simply uninformed only makes people less interested in getting involved, even when it comes to voting – which is something that structures our political parties and country. If we want lasting progress and more involvement, the left cannot afford to continue dividing itself with labels. The only way around this is to educate rather than alienate.
