conservative?

[Daniel]

when someone describes themselves as a "conservative" what does that usually mean?

[Guest db99wj]

Provided by Wikipedia

Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favor tradition and gradual change, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. The term is derived from the Latin, com servare, to preserve; "to protect from loss or harm". Since different cultures have different established values, conservatives in different cultures have differing goals. Some conservatives seek to preserve the status quo or to reform society slowly, while others seek to return to the values of an earlier time, the status quo ante.

Conservatism as a political philosophy is difficult to define, encompassing numerous different movements in various countries and time periods; there may sometimes be contradictions between alternative conceptions of conservatism as the ideology of preserving the past, and the contemporary worldwide conception of conservatism as a right-wing political stance. For instance, as one commentator questions, "who are the 'conservatives' in today's Russia? Are they the unreconstructed Stalinists, or the reformers who have adopted the right-wing views of modern conservatives such as Margaret Thatcher?"[1]

Samuel Francis defined authentic conservatism as “the survival and enhancement of a particular people and its institutionalized cultural expressions.”[2] Roger Scruton calls it “maintenance of the social ecology” and “the politics of delay, the purpose of which is to maintain in being, for as long as possible, the life and health of a social organism.”[3] Conservatives believe that radical change and unproven beliefs should not be quickly implemented before being tested.

[saintsfanbrian]

It depends on the person.

I personally consider it some one with traditional values. Some one that is concerned about the "nuclear" family unit. One man and one woman make up a family. Some one that believes in God (of some sort) and tries to follow their religious teachings. Some one not likely to having their child read "I have two mommies" and not be talking about a step mom.

Some one that takes financial responsibility for their self and their family. Some one that doesn't expect others to take care of them.

Some one that supports the Constitution and the intents of the founding fathers as they were written on paper and ratified by the states. Some one that doesn't think the Constitution is a "living" document that can be "changed at will" and interpreted to mean what every you want on any given day.

Now, does a Conservative have to be a republican? Does a republican have to be a conservative? Nope, but it helps.

[Mike.357]

Brian hits it pretty close IMHO.

I would include that a conservative is someone who does not force their point of view on others to the end that the conservatives point of view over rides the others point of view.

[molonlabetn]

A conservative is not a liberal.

A liberal is:

simple 'nuff?

[The Rabbi]

A conservative is not a liberal.

simple 'nuff?

Actually a conservative IS a liberal. What used to be called "liberal" (like in the 18th century) today is a conservative.

Today's liberals used to be called National Socialists...but that isn't polite to point out.

[Rightwinger]

uh.....me!

[saintsfanbrian]

Yeah, I was trying to be brief.

Then again.....I am not a conservative, I am a leave me the f alone and I will leave you alone.

[Guest Len]

Also provided by Wikipedia:

Liberalism refers to a broad array of related ideas and theories of government that consider individual liberty to be the most important political goal.[1] Liberalism has its roots in the Western Age of Enlightenment.

Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. Different forms of liberalism may propose very different policies, but they are generally united by their support for a number of principles, including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy, and a transparent system of government.[2] All liberals – as well as some adherents of other political ideologies – support some variant of the form of government known as liberal democracy, with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law.[3]

Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions that dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, and established religion. Social progressivism, the belief that traditions do not carry any inherent value and social practices ought to be continuously adjusted for the greater benefit of humanity, is a common component of liberal ideology. Liberalism is also strongly associated with the belief that human society should be organized in accordance with certain unchangeable and inviolable rights. Different schools of liberalism are based on different conceptions of human rights, but there are some rights that all liberals support to some extent, including rights to life, liberty, and property.

Within liberalism, there are two major currents of thought that often compete over the use of the term "liberal" and have been known to clash on many issues, as they differ on their understanding of what constitutes freedom. Classical liberals, believe that the provision of negative rights, that is freedom from coercion alone, constitutes freedom.[4] As a result they see state intervention in the economy as a coercive power that restricts freedom when enforced coercively by law, emphasize laissez-faire economic policy, and oppose the welfare state.[5] Social liberals argue that freedom from economic as well as physical coercion is necessary for real freedom. They generally favor such positive rights as the right to vote, the right to an education, the right to health care, and the right to a living wage. Some also favor laws against discrimination in housing and employment, laws against pollution of the environment, and the provision of welfare, including unemployment benefit and housing for the homeless, all supported by progressive taxation.[4]

I would suggest, that if we were to follow the above description, many on this board who consider themselves "conservative" are really "classical liberals." As a social liberal, I agree with most classical policies, including some that are deemed "conservative" by today's standards. However, I firmly believe that to be truly free is to be free from economic coercion as well as physical coercion. Disagreement in social liberal circles would be generally centered around the government policies and actions required to achieve freedom from economic coercion.

Also note that in the modern era, there is little direct correlation between "Democrat" & "Liberal" and "Republican" & "Conservative," despite the over-use of this over-simplification in the media and elsewhere.

[Daniel]

i would say im a classical liberal also.

[Im Neero]

I'm a political contrarian.

[ZenDog]

So Osama Bin Laden must be a conservative, too, then, by these definitions? That must be why Reagan's regime was able to finance Osama's cohort's training. Strange bedfellows these conservatives do make. Conservatives of a feather.... Does conservative thus mean ideologically rigid, or inflexible? And in nature, do rigid non-adaptive systems survive better, or do flexible systems survive better?

I have no idea where I stand in terms of definitions, but where ever it is, I am there.

[Guest jackdog]

I'm a independent. Liberal democratic politicians as well as conservative republican politicians, Are just about dead even. They pander to their corporate masters, to keep their jobs and lie to the majority of voters, especially near or during an election. You want to change this, then vote everyone out of their office. I,m talking about local state and federal politicians. The other option is to vote as usual for these hacks and then wine about how it all sucks.

[DWARREN123]

For me:

To keep and hold on to things and ways of doing things that work. To conserve something.

[molonlabetn]

...And in nature, do rigid non-adaptive systems survive better, or do flexible systems survive better?

It would be tough to stand upright without a spine... or for a redwood sequoia tree to reach nearly 400ft over 2 millenia, without some inherent rigidity