Spontaneous breakdown of parity in a class of gauge theories

SU(2)/sub L/ x SU(2)/sub r/ x U(1)-based left-right symmetric gauge theory in which parity is broken spontaneously is discussed. If the number of Higgs scalars is kept minimal (such that it can provide symmetry breaking to U/sub em/(1) and give the mass to the fermions), then that theory at low energies agrees with the standard theory in the realm of both charged and neutral weak interactions. Important experimental consequences of that result are stressed. The analysis of both weak and strong CP violation in such theories is presented. It is shown how in these theories both Cabibbo angle and CP-violating phase can be related to quark mass ratios. Finally, the problem of calculability of neutrino mass and its possible remedies are given