Definition of the word hard left

The term "hard left" is a political label used in Western countries, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States, to describe political parties or individuals who hold radical revolutionary views and advocate for far-left ideologies. The term "hard left" is often contrasted with the "soft left" or "social democratic left," which espouses more moderate and reformist policies. The origin of the term "hard left" can be traced back to the 1960s when the political climate in many Western countries was marked by a surge of left-wing activism and protests. The term was coined to distinguish more radical left-wing groups from the more mainstream social democratic parties that sought reforms through peaceful means. The term "hard left" came into widespread use during the Cold War era as a pejorative label for Marxist-Leninist parties and movements that advocated for violent revolution and overthrow of capitalist systems. Today, the term "hard left" is still commonly used to describe political extremists, but it has also become a subject of political debate as some argue that it is a social and political construct that served as a way to demonize and suppress left-wing opposition.