Georges Sorel’s intellectual legacy is complex and often misinterpreted. He never authored a single work titled “What is Left and Right.” His ideas about the political spectrum, however, evolved throughout his writings, notably in Reflections on Violence (1908) and other works where he critiqued parliamentary socialism and advocated for syndicalism. He employed the terms “left” and “right” not as fixed ideological positions, but as dynamic forces within social and political struggles. For Sorel, the “left” represented the vital, energetic force of the proletariat striving for social transformation, often embodied in the myth of the general strike. The “right,” conversely, signified stagnation, bourgeois decadence, and the forces resisting change.
Sorel’s analysis, though rooted in his specific historical context of early 20th-century France, provides valuable insight into the fluidity and limitations of traditional political classifications. His focus on myth and social psychology influenced diverse thinkers, including both fascists and revolutionaries. Understanding Sorel’s nuanced perspective is crucial for navigating his complex and often contradictory body of work. His influence extends beyond political theory, offering insights into the dynamics of social movements, the role of myth in political mobilization, and the ongoing tension between revolutionary impulses and established societal structures.
