<P> Some political scientists have suggested that the classifications of "left" and "right" are no longer meaningful in the modern complex world . Although these terms continue to be used, they advocate a more complex spectrum that attempts to combine political, economic and social dimensions . </P> <P> A survey conducted between 1983 and 1994 by Bob Altemeyer of Canadian legislative caucuses showed an 82% correlation between party affiliation and score on a scale for right - wing authoritarianism when comparing right - wing and social democratic caucuses . There was a wide gap between the scores of the two groups, which was filled by liberal caucuses . His survey of American legislative caucuses showed scores by American Republicans and Democrats were similar to the Canadian Right and liberals, with a 44% correlation between party affiliation and score . </P> <P> Norberto Bobbio saw the polarization of the Italian Chamber of Deputies in the 1990s as evidence that the linear left--right axis remained valid . Bobbio thought that the argument that the spectrum had disappeared occurred when either the Left or Right were weak . The dominant side would claim that its ideology was the only possible one, while the weaker side would minimize its differences . He saw the Left and Right not in absolute terms, but as relative concepts that would vary over time . In his view, the left--right axis could be applied to any time period . </P> <P> Libertarian writer David Boaz argued that terms left and right are used to spin a particular point of view rather than as simple descriptors, with those on the "left" typically emphasizing their support for working people and accusing the right of supporting the interests of the upper class; and those on the "right" usually emphasizing their support for individualism and accusing the Left of supporting collectivism . Boaz asserts that arguments about the way the words should be used often displaces arguments about policy by raising emotional prejudice against a preconceived notion of what the terms mean . </P>

Who is the right and left in politics