New Left

American  

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) a radical leftist political movement active especially during the 1960s and 1970s, composed largely of college students and young intellectuals whose goals included racial equality, de-escalation of the arms race, nonintervention in foreign affairs, and other major changes in the political, economic, social, and educational systems.

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New Left British  

noun

1. a loose grouping of left-wing radicals, esp among students, that arose in many countries after 1960

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New Left Cultural  

1. A radical movement of the 1960s and 1970s. New Leftists opposed the military-industrial complex and involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War; they urged more public attention to conditions of black people and the poor. New Leftists were less theoretical than communists and generally did not admire the Soviet Union. But many of them were interested in Maoism, and they spoke strongly for “participatory democracy.” (See sit-ins.)

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Other Word Forms

• New Leftist noun

Etymology

Origin of New Left

First recorded in 1960; phrase apparently introduced by U.S. sociologist C. Wright Mills (1916–62)

Example Sentences

It got to the stage where Howe was only half joking when he said "we don't have anything new left" on the eve of Saturday's game.

From BBC

The program also saw federal law enforcement target anti-war protesters, civil rights activists, feminist groups, New Left organizations and even some rightist organizations, like the Ku Klux Klan.

From Salon

But there are still some who think this new left party could be what Scottish politics needs.

From BBC

Losing Wingfield meant finding a new left guard, without many proven options to choose from.

From Los Angeles Times

Daze Aghaji, a 25-year-old environmental activist, says she voted Green in last year's general election but has no strong party allegiance and is interested in the new left wing party being set up by Jeremy Corbyn.

From BBC