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The imprecise use of the terms "left" and "right" in politics, and there being no absolute consensus as to what the "archetypes" of left and right are, has led to a number of disputes over the proper usage of the descriptions, "far-right" and "far-left." Obviously, the terms "far-left" and "far-right" are meant to describe two diametrically opposed extremes. However, there are number of allegedly extremist groups and ideologies that don't fit into either of these categories, while there may be some which seem to fit (at least partially) in both. A possible solution to this problem is the use of a circular political compass instead of the traditional flat-line method of describing political positions.
The term "far-right" is often used to describe persons or groups who hold extremely nationalist, xenophobic, racist, religious fundamentalist, traditionalist, and/or reactionary views. This far-right can include ideologies that range from absolute monarchy to neo-nazism. The term has also often been used for populist regimes which are not necessarily racist but operate authoritarian or totalitarian forms of government.
In other contexts - particularly in the United StatesThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in - the term "far-right" may also be used to denote supporters of extreme laissez-faireLaissez faire is short for laissez faire, laissez passer " a French phrase meaning to "let things alone, let them pass". First used by the eighteenth century Physiocrats as an injunction against government interference with trade, it is now used as a syno capitalismCapitalism generally refers to a combination of economic practices that became institutionalized in Europe between the 16th and 19th centuries. Exactly which historic and current practices are considered part of "capitalism" varies among users of the term.
More often, the term has been applied to any stream of political thought that rejects democracy in favour of some form of elite rule (including absolute monarchyFor related meanings see also Monarch (disambiguation A monarchy (from the Greek monos archein , meaning "one ruler") is a form of government that has a monarch as Head of State. The distinguishing characteristic of monarchies is that the Head of State ho, plutocracyA plutocracy is a government system where wealth is the principal basis of power (from the Greek ploutos meaning wealth). The term plutocracy is generally used to describe two unrelated phenomena. In writings about history, plutocracy is the political con and theocracyTheocracy is a form of government in which the governmental rulers are identical with the leaders of the dominant religion. In a theocracy, governmental policies are either identical with or strongly influenced by the principles of the majority religion,), and even more loosely to those who favour a return to the ideological values of an earlier generation.