Conservative vs. Liberal Thought - a Debate

[longfisher]

Please accept my apologies. I must attend a Medicare certification webinar today from 11:00 - 1:00 and cannot adhere to the rules requiring LT and I to post within 2 minutes either way of 12:00 noon central time. So, I'm posting now.

Conservative vs. Liberal Thought, a Study in Contrasts

This brief post is intended to describe what I believe to be the fundamental characteristics of conservative and liberal thought from which American political conflict arises and to predict the ultimate outcome in this contest of ideologies.

There are five fundamental characteristics which underpin conservative thought; authoritarianism, punitive contempt for the welfare of others, hypocrisy, extreme militancy and religiosity. Substantial elements of authoritarianism can be found in each of the other fundamental characteristics of conservative thought. Accordingly, authoritarianism may be the core value of conservative ideology with the other characteristics merely being unfortunate manifestations.

We see this most clearly in the case of religiosity which I’ll define simply as the unquestioning adoration and worship of fictitious all-powerful super beings. The other manifestations of authoritarianism tend to reinforce, defend and support authority. Punitive contempt of the plight of others is explicitly self-aggrandizing. Hypocrisy defends and protects authoritarianism when it collides with American values. And, the raw power of extreme militancy establishes a very high price for dissent.

Liberal thought, on the other hand, emphasizes communalism in which the authority of the individual is diminished and the authority of the community (village, town, city, state or country) is relatively enhanced. Communalism manifests itself in several tendencies which directly confront authoritarianism. These include the forced pooling and communal mangement of the distribution of resources, a fawning concern for those less fortunate, near rejection of the authority of religion and a reliance on logic and reason to attain consistency of thought which renders hypocrisy unnecessary.

It is the conservative adherence to and the liberal rejection of authoritarianism that is at the core of political strife in America and, perhaps, elsewhere where right meets left. As authoritarianism appears to be “hard-wired” in a substantial subset of people it appears unlikely that political strife will diminish substantially in the immediate future.

However, if past is prelude and if historical trends persist a reasonable forecast can be made as to which of these two influences, liberal or conservative, will prevail. It is unarguable that American thought and, hence, society has become steadfastly more liberal since America’s founding. The Constitution’s fundamental liberties are progressively extended to more and more citizen groups over time. The growth of government and its control over the pooling and distribution of resources has increased exponentially. And, authoritarianism has been steadily eroded in favor of communalism.

Liberal thought and communalism appears poised to ultimately overwhelm conservative authoritarianism, although residual conservatism may always play an important role in mitigating or preventing excesses.

LongFisher

[hubris 1]

It reminds me of an old Italian proverb. "If it was that simple, your wife would do it." Yea looks like you nailed that debate down.

[teddyp]

Please accept my apologies. I must attend a Medicare certification webinar today from 11:00 - 1:00 and cannot adhere to the rules requiring LT and I to post within 2 minutes either way of 12:00 noon central time. So, I'm posting now.

Conservative vs. Liberal Thought, a Study in Contrasts

This brief post is intended to describe what I believe to be the fundamental characteristics of conservative and liberal thought from which American political conflict arises and to predict the ultimate outcome in this contest of ideologies.

There are five fundamental characteristics which underpin conservative thought; authoritarianism, punitive contempt for the welfare of others, hypocrisy, extreme militancy and religiosity. Substantial elements of authoritarianism can be found in each of the other fundamental characteristics of conservative thought. Accordingly, authoritarianism may be the core value of conservative ideology with the other characteristics merely being unfortunate manifestations.

We see this most clearly in the case of religiosity which I’ll define simply as the unquestioning adoration and worship of fictitious all-powerful super beings. The other manifestations of authoritarianism tend to reinforce, defend and support authority. Punitive contempt of the plight of others is explicitly self-aggrandizing. Hypocrisy defends and protects authoritarianism when it collides with American values. And, the raw power of extreme militancy establishes a very high price for dissent.

Liberal thought, on the other hand, emphasizes communalism in which the authority of the individual is diminished and the authority of the community (village, town, city, state or country) is relatively enhanced. Communalism manifests itself in several tendencies which directly confront authoritarianism. These include the forced pooling and communal mangement of the distribution of resources, a fawning concern for those less fortunate, near rejection of the authority of religion and a reliance on logic and reason to attain consistency of thought which renders hypocrisy unnecessary.

It is the conservative adherence to and the liberal rejection of authoritarianism that is at the core of political strife in America and, perhaps, elsewhere where right meets left. As authoritarianism appears to be “hard-wired” in a substantial subset of people it appears unlikely that political strife will diminish substantially in the immediate future.

However, if past is prelude and if historical trends persist a reasonable forecast can be made as to which of these two influences, liberal or conservative, will prevail. It is unarguable that American thought and, hence, society has become steadfastly more liberal since America’s founding. The Constitution’s fundamental liberties are progressively extended to more and more citizen groups over time. The growth of government and its control over the pooling and distribution of resources has increased exponentially. And, authoritarianism has been steadily eroded in favor of communalism.

Liberal thought and communalism appears poised to ultimately overwhelm conservative authoritarianism, although residual conservatism may always play an important role in mitigating or preventing excesses.

LongFisher

Longfisher for some reasonthis reminded me of you.

[Fannypackerwife]

Please accept my apologies. I must attend a Medicare certification webinar today from 11:00 - 1:00 and cannot adhere to the rules requiring LT and I to post within 2 minutes either way of 12:00 noon central time. So, I'm posting now.

Conservative vs. Liberal Thought, a Study in Contrasts

This brief post is intended to describe what I believe to be the fundamental characteristics of conservative and liberal thought from which American political conflict arises and to predict the ultimate outcome in this contest of ideologies.

There are five fundamental characteristics which underpin conservative thought; authoritarianism, punitive contempt for the welfare of others, hypocrisy, extreme militancy and religiosity. Substantial elements of authoritarianism can be found in each of the other fundamental characteristics of conservative thought. Accordingly, authoritarianism may be the core value of conservative ideology with the other characteristics merely being unfortunate manifestations.

We see this most clearly in the case of religiosity which I’ll define simply as the unquestioning adoration and worship of fictitious all-powerful super beings. The other manifestations of authoritarianism tend to reinforce, defend and support authority. Punitive contempt of the plight of others is explicitly self-aggrandizing. Hypocrisy defends and protects authoritarianism when it collides with American values. And, the raw power of extreme militancy establishes a very high price for dissent.

Liberal thought, on the other hand, emphasizes communalism in which the authority of the individual is diminished and the authority of the community (village, town, city, state or country) is relatively enhanced. Communalism manifests itself in several tendencies which directly confront authoritarianism. These include the forced pooling and communal mangement of the distribution of resources, a fawning concern for those less fortunate, near rejection of the authority of religion and a reliance on logic and reason to attain consistency of thought which renders hypocrisy unnecessary.

It is the conservative adherence to and the liberal rejection of authoritarianism that is at the core of political strife in America and, perhaps, elsewhere where right meets left. As authoritarianism appears to be “hard-wired” in a substantial subset of people it appears unlikely that political strife will diminish substantially in the immediate future.

However, if past is prelude and if historical trends persist a reasonable forecast can be made as to which of these two influences, liberal or conservative, will prevail. It is unarguable that American thought and, hence, society has become steadfastly more liberal since America’s founding. The Constitution’s fundamental liberties are progressively extended to more and more citizen groups over time. The growth of government and its control over the pooling and distribution of resources has increased exponentially. And, authoritarianism has been steadily eroded in favor of communalism.

Liberal thought and communalism appears poised to ultimately overwhelm conservative authoritarianism, although residual conservatism may always play an important role in mitigating or preventing excesses.

LongFisher

You go get those racist and homophobes sweetheart!i'm so proud of you! When you get finished teaching our values to to the infedels swing by the Islamic Society Center on East Side Street. I got your turban ironed for the Pakistan flood relief fund banquet! See you there sweet cheeks!

[lowtide]

Please accept my apologies. I must attend a Medicare certification webinar today from 11:00 - 1:00 and cannot adhere to the rules requiring LT and I to post within 2 minutes either way of 12:00 noon central time. So, I'm posting now.

Conservative vs. Liberal Thought, a Study in Contrasts

This brief post is intended to describe what I believe to be the fundamental characteristics of conservative and liberal thought from which American political conflict arises and to predict the ultimate outcome in this contest of ideologies.

There are five fundamental characteristics which underpin conservative thought; authoritarianism, punitive contempt for the welfare of others, hypocrisy, extreme militancy and religiosity. Substantial elements of authoritarianism can be found in each of the other fundamental characteristics of conservative thought. Accordingly, authoritarianism may be the core value of conservative ideology with the other characteristics merely being unfortunate manifestations.

We see this most clearly in the case of religiosity which I’ll define simply as the unquestioning adoration and worship of fictitious all-powerful super beings. The other manifestations of authoritarianism tend to reinforce, defend and support authority. Punitive contempt of the plight of others is explicitly self-aggrandizing. Hypocrisy defends and protects authoritarianism when it collides with American values. And, the raw power of extreme militancy establishes a very high price for dissent.

Liberal thought, on the other hand, emphasizes communalism in which the authority of the individual is diminished and the authority of the community (village, town, city, state or country) is relatively enhanced. Communalism manifests itself in several tendencies which directly confront authoritarianism. These include the forced pooling and communal mangement of the distribution of resources, a fawning concern for those less fortunate, near rejection of the authority of religion and a reliance on logic and reason to attain consistency of thought which renders hypocrisy unnecessary.

It is the conservative adherence to and the liberal rejection of authoritarianism that is at the core of political strife in America and, perhaps, elsewhere where right meets left. As authoritarianism appears to be “hard-wired” in a substantial subset of people it appears unlikely that political strife will diminish substantially in the immediate future.

However, if past is prelude and if historical trends persist a reasonable forecast can be made as to which of these two influences, liberal or conservative, will prevail. It is unarguable that American thought and, hence, society has become steadfastly more liberal since America’s founding. The Constitution’s fundamental liberties are progressively extended to more and more citizen groups over time. The growth of government and its control over the pooling and distribution of resources has increased exponentially. And, authoritarianism has been steadily eroded in favor of communalism.

Liberal thought and communalism appears poised to ultimately overwhelm conservative authoritarianism, although residual conservatism may always play an important role in mitigating or preventing excesses.

LongFisher

I concur.

[lowtide]

this isnt a debate ! We need something we do not see eye to eye on !!

Good write, though.

[lowtide]

maybe a different topic ??, LF ???

[lowtide]

Damn LF - you sucked me in to this one ..........


What you must realize is that faith (not necessarily religion) is a cornerstone of what created this nation. It plays a part in the lives of many, if not most people. Your views will naturally be developed along those lines.

Conservative views tend toward tradition and equality (personal opinion on that one). A large percentage of conservatives are Christians nowadays and can speak openly about their faith. It is a part of us, so it may very well come up in conversation. I also have found many liberals to be quite overbearing and insulting in pushing their views on me.

The conservative viewpoint is not a hateful one. It does, however, seek responsibility, accountability and respect. It does not promote an "entitlement" mentality. It promotes being responsible for what you do, being accountable for your actions and words and earning what you receive.

Why would anyone conform to these ideals? A large amount of the chaos in our society these days can be attributed to individual lack of responsibility, accountability and too much laziness.

Personally, I am conservative because I believe that I am responsible for my errors, no matter what they are.. I do not run from my mistakes or try and spin them so someone else takes the heat. I can own up to things. If I make an error, many times I'll be the first to tell you. It may make things difficult in life, but I can look in the mirror and be proud of the guy staring back.

People should follow/subscribe to the beliefs that make the most sense to them. I lean toward conservative, but also have views that are more liberal.




.

[Captain Michael Buffington]

Damn LF - you sucked me in to this one ..........


What you must realize is that faith (not necessarily religion) is a cornerstone of what created this nation. It plays a part in the lives of many, if not most people. Your views will naturally be developed along those lines.

Conservative views tend toward tradition and equality (personal opinion on that one). A large percentage of conservatives are Christians nowadays and can speak openly about their faith. It is a part of us, so it may very well come up in conversation. I also have found many liberals to be quite overbearing and insulting in pushing their views on me.

The conservative viewpoint is not a hateful one. It does, however, seek responsibility, accountability and respect. It does not promote an "entitlement" mentality. It promotes being responsible for what you do, being accountable for your actions and words and earning what you receive.

Why would anyone conform to these ideals? A large amount of the chaos in our society these days can be attributed to individual lack of responsibility, accountability and too much laziness.

Personally, I am conservative because I believe that I am responsible for my errors, no matter what they are.. I do not run from my mistakes or try and spin them so someone else takes the heat. I can own up to things. If I make an error, many times I'll be the first to tell you. It may make things difficult in life, but I can look in the mirror and be proud of the guy staring back.

People should follow/subscribe to the beliefs that make the most sense to them. I lean toward conservative, but also have views that are more liberal.




.

Excellent LT
Mike

[scattered_grass]

Damn LF - you sucked me in to this one ..........


What you must realize is that faith (not necessarily religion) is a cornerstone of what created this nation. It plays a part in the lives of many, if not most people. Your views will naturally be developed along those lines.

Conservative views tend toward tradition and equality (personal opinion on that one). A large percentage of conservatives are Christians nowadays and can speak openly about their faith. It is a part of us, so it may very well come up in conversation. I also have found many liberals to be quite overbearing and insulting in pushing their views on me.

The conservative viewpoint is not a hateful one. It does, however, seek responsibility, accountability and respect. It does not promote an "entitlement" mentality. It promotes being responsible for what you do, being accountable for your actions and words and earning what you receive.

Why would anyone conform to these ideals? A large amount of the chaos in our society these days can be attributed to individual lack of responsibility, accountability and too much laziness.

Personally, I am conservative because I believe that I am responsible for my errors, no matter what they are.. I do not run from my mistakes or try and spin them so someone else takes the heat. I can own up to things. If I make an error, many times I'll be the first to tell you. It may make things difficult in life, but I can look in the mirror and be proud of the guy staring back.

People should follow/subscribe to the beliefs that make the most sense to them. I lean toward conservative, but also have views that are more liberal.




.

no chit, this is one of the best explanations I've seen written. Very well portrayed.