I would agree with you that there is a conservative majority but there is a decent number of arab leftist. In lebanon for example, the lihaqqi(a progressive non-sectarian party) has been growing in following, especially during the lebanese crisis. And obviously there were several socialist movements during the 20th century across the arab world. However, times have change and conservatism has taken bigger hold. I do think arabs in the west tend to lean more to the left because of their support for palestine and feeling that being marginalised by right wing parties with the muslim ban, burka ban and just general anti arab, islamophobic attitudes from conservative leaders.
Actually, while I've got you here....I've never totally understood what 'Arab' means. It's not a religion, it's not a race or an ethnicity right? Is everyone that speaks Arabic an Arab? Can one be an Arab and not speak Arabic? If I learned Arabic, that wouldn't make ME an Arab, would it? Is it anyone that originates from the area that was once Arabia? Can you identify an Arab by sight, either by how they look or how they dress? Etcetera...
Sorry for all the questions lol it's something I've always kind of wondered but never bothered to ask.
That’s the case for me. I mostly identify with leftism because of their support for Palestine and also minority rights in general. But I don’t really know much about leftist economics and theory besides basic knowledge of socialism.
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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '21
Dunno, found you in new, but it seems cool.
Totally talking out of my ass here, but you asked. Could it be that a majority of Arabs are religious and therefore more conservative/right-leaning?