Sir, – Simon O'Neill (September 15th) may be correct to say that the designation of viewpoints, groups and individuals as "far right" has occurred with increasing frequency in latter years on the pages of this publication and a great many others.
To a large extent, the labels of “left” and “right” and their variants are in the political world comparative terms and are meaningless without some reference point at the “centre.”
Your letter writer is therefore correct to point out that the use of the label “far right” to describe an increasingly prevalent category of opinions has somewhat mitigated the descriptive value of that term.
However, while your reader posits them as two alternatives, an unduly expansive use of this term on these pages and a genuine rise in quasi-fascist beliefs are not mutually exclusive.
As more people adhere to a particular view, the centre can move towards one end of the political spectrum as it currently stands.
In order for the term “far right” to remain useful, its usage on these pages may have to become more narrowly confined. But we should not be fooled into thinking that this change in terminology makes current trends in voter opinion any more innocuous. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER
McMAHON,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.