“The most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work ”

Simplified Meaning:

This quote is saying that the basic problem with the ideas from the political left, like socialism or communism, is that they often fail when put into practice. These ideas usually aim to create equality and fairness by having the government control resources and wealth. However, in real life, countries that have tried to fully adopt these systems, like the Soviet Union or Venezuela, often faced problems like their economies suffering and people not having enough freedom. Imagine a classroom where the teacher decides that everyone gets the same grade, no matter how hard they work. Some students might feel it’s unfair since those who study hard don’t get rewarded, and those who don’t study still pass. Over time, fewer students might feel motivated to study at all, and everyone’s learning suffers. This is similar to what the quote is saying – when everyone gets the same outcome regardless of their effort, the system doesn't work well, and both individuals and the society as a whole can struggle. Applying this in life, it suggests striving for systems that reward hard work and personal responsibility instead of trying to make everything equal. This way, people are motivated to contribute and improve themselves, leading to a more successful community for everyone.