The term "reactionary" is associated with the right-wing but like the term radical this term is a concept that transcends the one-dimensional left/right model. That being said it is almost exclusively applied to the right and these days it is used almost exclusively as an insult rather than a self-identifier. It was originally synonymous with right-wing, but it doesn't have to be a right-wing phenomenon, as there are left-wing reactionaries as well. The term has its origins in the French Revolution, where the National Assembly was divided into those favoring revolution on the left and the supporters of the king on the right. The term "reactionary" refers to the political group who wanted to return to pre-modern feudal monarchy. Today, a reactionary is someone who wants to go back to a previous time that was more glorious. While conservatives want to conserve the status quo, progressives want to pull the system towards improvement, and reactionaries want to push the system back. The reactionary idealisation of the past is similar to the Fascist parties of the mid-20th century. Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" is a pure example of the reactionary spirit, and similar sentiments were present in Britain around Brexit. Left-wing reactionaries can also exist, and they may see something very wrong in the current system, but their solution is backwards towards some idealised past.________________⭐ Support the channel (thank you!)▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelivingphilosophy▶ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thelivingphilosophy_________________ ? More from The Living Philosophy▶ Discord https://discord.gg/XNd4gTpfu9▶ ? Subscribe with email: https://thelivingphilosophy.substack.com/________________Media Used:1.  Dark Times — Kevin MacLeod2.  Procession of the King  — Kevin MacLeod3.  Evening Fall Harp — Kevin MacLeodSubscribe to Kevin MacLeod https://www.youtube.com/user/kmmusic_________________⌛ Timestamps:0:00 Introduction0:54 Reactionary Origins in the French Revolution2:51 Reactionism Today5:45 Left Wing Reactionaries7:34 The Evolution of a Term