The following dialogue took place in both sections of my literature course.
Me: This philosopher says that the masses are stupid. In his opinion, the masses are incapable of governing themselves, which is why every society needs a strong governing minority that will direct and guide the stupid masses. How would you characterize the political stance of this philosopher?
Students (in unison): He is a Communist!
Me (baffled): No, actually such views belong on the opposite end of the political spectrum. If we have Communism on the far left, then which political system belongs on the far right?
Students (in unison): Socialism!
Those pesky Communists and Socialists seem to have colonized the entire political spectrum in my students' opinion.
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