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Subjects · Leaving Cert Politics & Society

Leaving Cert Politics & Society: Left & right political positions

How often Left & right political positions comes up on the Politics & Society papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 3 of the last 7 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025.

OL Asked on 3 of the last 7 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2023.

Left & right political positions, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Left & right political positions.

(a)The political terms 'left' and 'right' come from seating in which assembly?
  1. The first Dáil Éireann of 1919
  2. The French National Assembly of 1789
  3. The British House of Commons of 1832
(b)Which position is usually associated with the political left?
  1. Defending tradition and existing hierarchy
  2. Cutting taxes and shrinking the state
  3. Redistributing wealth via taxes and services
(c)Which view is usually associated with the political right?
  1. Free markets and individual responsibility
  2. Equality of outcome as the main goal
  3. Public ownership of key industries
Show the answers

(a) The French National Assembly of 1789

(b) Redistributing wealth via taxes and services

(c) Free markets and individual responsibility

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Left & right political positions.

Higher Level

Asked on 3 of the last 7 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1f
2024Q1o
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Q1a

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 7 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2023.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Q1b
2022Not asked
2021Q1o
2019Not asked
2018Q1p

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Left & right political positions questions

Left & right political positions, 2 marks

Which view is usually linked with a 'right-wing' position?

  1. More redistribution of wealth through taxes
  2. More public ownership of services
  3. Lower taxes and a smaller role for the state
Show the answer

Lower taxes and a smaller role for the state

Right-wing views stress individual freedom, free markets, low taxes and a limited state. Left-wing views stress equality, redistribution and public services.

Left & right political positions, 3 marks

'There should be very few rules, only to keep people safe.' Which position is this usually linked with?

  1. Marxist
  2. Right-wing (libertarian)
  3. Left-wing (socialist)
Show the answer

Right-wing (libertarian)

This minimal-rules view matches the libertarian right: more rules than safety needs limit freedom. The left more often backs rules that protect weaker groups from stronger ones.

Left & right political positions, 3 marks

'Technology and the free market will solve our environmental problems.' Which position is this usually linked with?

  1. Right-wing
  2. Left-wing
  3. Ecofeminist
Show the answer

Right-wing

It trusts markets and new technology rather than state control. Left-wing and green views argue that markets alone put profit before the planet and need regulation.

Other Politics & Society topics

All of Leaving Cert Politics & Society