rightwing

Rightwing refers to political positions or ideologies located on the right of the conventional left–right spectrum. The term, which originated from seating arrangements in assemblies—those aligned with traditional hierarchies sat on the right—has varied in meaning by era and country. Across regions, "right-wing" covers movements ranging from conservatism and classical liberalism to nationalist or reactionary currents, all generally emphasizing or resting on some form of tradition, authority, social cohesion, and national sovereignty.

Economic orientation is often central: supporters advocate free markets, private property, deregulation, and limited government involvement in the economy. Social and cultural dimensions may prioritize traditional social norms, religious or moral values, and cautious reform of institutions that are seen as inheritances of the past. In many contexts, national defense, law and order, and border control are prominent priorities.

Policy ranges vary: tax cuts or simplified taxes, deregulation, privatization of state enterprises, and welfare state moderation. Immigration restrictions, cultural conservatism, and support for national sovereignty or skepticism toward supranational institutions are common themes in many right-wing movements. Subgroups include conservative parties, Christian-democratic or social-conservative formations, libertarian-right groups, and nationalist-right currents; some fuse populist rhetoric with anti-elite sentiment.

Critical assessments highlight that "right-wing" is a broad label and its meanings shift by context. Critics associate some right-wing currents with resistance to social change, exclusionary or discriminatory tendencies, or potential threats to civil liberties. Proponents argue for efficiency, tradition, personal responsibility, and protective governance. The term remains a heuristic category used in political analysis rather than a fixed doctrine.