These terms originated from seating arrangements in the French Assembly. Both the Democratic and Republican parties are considered centrists , and the current thinking of these parties usually defines the political center . Opinions close to this center are considered moderate , while those opinions that are very different are considered extremist . People on the left will commonly label someone with very right-wing views as reactionary . If someone says they are progressive , they mean that they are further to the left than liberals.
Radicals are even further to the left.
The two largest parties in the U.S. are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party . Both parties are traditionally represented by animals - a donkey for the Democrats, and an elephant for the Republicans. The Democrats are to the left of the Republicans, though not by much. Other parties are considered third parties , no matter how many of them there are. More moderate parties to the left of the Democrats include the Green Party, the Peace and Freedom Party, and the New Party.