What is Conservatism?

[Inquiring-Mind]

With the declining education, poor public school systems and lack of funding, it seems like conservatism is gaining huge ground. Therefore, I think Conservatism dwells on the ignorance of the masses.



By Gary W. Harding

We are all amazed, fascinated and even overwhelmed by the changes that scientific research has brought to our lives. All the advances have truly made our lives better. But, basic science seeks knowledge whether or not that information is beneficial. As a consequence, some scientific findings are unwelcome.

Billions of people believe that, through science and technology, they can have it all and not have to pay the ultimate price. This belief is so strong that any evidence to the contrary is routinely rejected out of hand. And if ignoring the facts won't make those facts go away, a self-serving assault is mounted to discredit their validity. This phenomenon is apparent in the double-standard associated with society's acceptance of scientific knowledge. If scientific discovery produces benefits for people, the information is embraced. If, on the other hand, scientific inquiry suggests that there will likely be disastrous consequences from human activities, that news is very unpopular.

Let me illustrate the science double-standard with two examples that we all are aware of:

Awhile back, medical scientists hypothesized that it would be possible, under favorable circumstances, to transplant a heart from a recently deceased individual to replace a diseased one. They began studies to determine how to do it. At first, most scientists were skeptical of the results. Now, heart transplants are commonly done.

About two decades ago, medical scientists hypothesized that cigarette smoking caused cancer. Later, second-hand cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco were added to the hypothesis. Recently, scientists stated a connected hypothesis; nicotine is an addictive drug. Data were collected which clearly demonstrated that all this is true. The tobacco industry has fought the acceptance of these hypotheses with enormous investments in pseudoscience and political control.

History Tells Us

A turning away from science has happened before. About 800 years ago, conservative politics, fundamentalist religion, and a self centered focus rose to dominate societal views. This period lasted for nearly 400 years. The arts, sciences and education fell into disfavor. Those few who sought knowledge, despite the times, were labeled heretics. Many paid for their curiosity with their lives. This epoch in human history has been called "The Dark Ages".

Today, we see the beginnings of another dark age. Conservative politics has taken over at the national and local level. Fundamentalist religion is gathering momentum. The people are becoming more and more self centered. Support for the arts is fading. Education has fallen into disfavor; most of our children can't read, write or calculate, let alone distinguish between truth and fiction. Among the people, a science-based understanding of the world we live in is being replaced with a self-serving system of conservative beliefs.

http://members.aol.com/trajcom/private/unpopsci.htm


What Is Conservatism and What Is Wrong with It?



Philip E. Agre (http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/pagre/)
August 2004







Liberals in the United States have been losing political debates to conservatives for a quarter century. In order to start winning again, liberals must answer two simple questions: what is conservatism, and what is wrong with it? As it happens, the answers to these questions are also simple:






Q: What is conservatism?


A: Conservatism is the domination of society by an aristocracy.

Q: What is wrong with conservatism?
A: Conservatism is incompatible with democracy, prosperity, and civilization in general. It is a destructive system of inequality and prejudice that is founded on deception and has no place in the modern world.

http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/pagre/conservatism.html

[Inquiring-Mind]

I disagree with the author is analyze of Marxism and unions as useless. However, if liberals want to distant themselves from Marxism, then that is understandable.

[TheMadcapSyd]

True conservatism is the way the government should be run:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_conservatism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism

[Ladylocks]

If everybody was conservative then america would never have existed as a nation.

[TheMadcapSyd]

If everybody was conservative then america would never have existed as a nation.
What? That makes no sense, you can be conservative but fight to try to free your land from a mother country you feel as no right to control you, I'd say the people in the CSA were definitly more conservative then their northern counter-parts, and I think the 400,000 dead there show they were willing to fight to be their own nation.

[Ladylocks]

No, congress during independence were mostly conservative and waited till the last minute when america was winning, to declare independence. Washington was a conservative who reluctantly took military command.


South was conservative, that's why they were less keen that the north on american independance. And yes, we can see how CSA conservatism shows how backward they were compared to the north.

[TheMadcapSyd]

No, congress during independence were mostly conservative and waited till the last minute when america was winning, to declare independence. Washington was a conservative who reluctantly took military command.


South was conservative, that's why they were less keen that the north on american independance. And yes, we can see how CSA conservatism shows how backward they were compared to the north.
Actually we decalred independence in 1776 when only 2 battles had really happend(one of which we lost). And Washington was not shy of the job, he attended the second continental congress in 1775 in his full military uniform(the only delegate to do so, and was voted unanimously to lead the army by that congress)

And in the revolution the biggest concentration of loyalist were in NYC and Long Island, the only place that came close was the fact Britain managed to establish a loyalist government in Georgia. I can go to the war of 1812 too when it was the New England states that wanted not to fight for commerical reasons.

[Ladylocks]

You've mixed Loyalism with conservatism. Conservatism is status quo, don't rock the boat. Loyalists were active supporters of the Brittish. 1/3 of colonial americans were loyalist, 1/3 patriots and the other 1/3 waited to see what would happen i.e the conservatives.

Radicalism was the forefront for American independance.

[TheMadcapSyd]

You've mixed Loyalism with conservatism. Conservatism is status quo, don't rock the boat. Loyalists were active supporters of the Brittish. 1/3 of colonial americans were loyalist, 1/3 patriots and the other 1/3 waited to see what would happen i.e the conservatives.

Radicalism was the forefront for American independance.
No, you're the one who mxied them up because you said if everyone was conservative our country wouldn't exist, I'm showing otherwise. Conservative does not mean status quo, that's a horrible misconception, do you think if Hillary Clinton wins in 2008, after a term of her conservatives are going to want to keep the status quo? And conservatives didn't wait to see what would happen, many founding fathers were conservatives.

[2cesarewild]

Right wingers blow, and have fucked me over on a regular basis. I'll fuckin slap an aristocrat, how can anyone who isn't filthy rich support conservatives in america, I don't get it.

[the anarchist]

I no longer consider myself a conservative because to me the word has become synonymous with pro-war and interventionism, sexual and moral prudery, neoconservatism (putting Israel's interests above America's), and with obnoxious radio talk-show hosts.

The Founding Fathers of America likely would not identify with today's conservatives. Some were Deists who opposed mixing church and state, and had no conception of America as a "Christian" nation.

[2cesarewild]

From your sig pic, it's a little hard to believe you were ever a conservative.

[the anarchist]

From your sig pic, it's a little hard to believe you were ever a conservative."Conservative" is just a label. Often people join groups because it is human nature to join a group and establish an identity. They might just feel that a group will enhance their interests.

Truth is, if you saw me in person you'd never think I sympathize with the counterculture. I have to cover it up at my corporate job (I now work for a Fortune 100 company). My demeanor is conservative in some ways, regardless.

All groups seem to have elements of absurdity that come from mob behavior when they reach a critical mass. Just think of the right-wing and their hawkishness over the war in Iraq, despite the fact that it is based on lies. Just look at the corruption of the liberal left, with political correctness. Look at the communists, with their inefficiency, corruption and hierarchy. Look even at the hippie movement, which became corrupted when the wrong types were attracted to the movement based on media stereotypes and images, and the commercialization of the movement. Worst of them all, there are the neo-Nazis who wish to perfect the human or, more precisely, the "Aryan" race, yet the movement attracts the very worst elements, as you can see just by checking out their discussion forums.

So which political group has the truth? At least the hippies accept the folly of being human, and often will choose to withdraw from the life of conformity accepted by most people, and reflect more deeply about life.

The best thing for myself is to look out for myself, and none of the established groups are out for me. If it were up to the conservatives, we'd be out in the Middle East to defend oil fields against insurgents. If it were up to the liberals, we'd all be ideological clones with syrupy yet hollow thoughts. If it were up to the Nazis, we'd be foot soldiers fighting for someone else's interests. If it were up to the communists, our property would be seized by state bureaucrats for their own personal use.

[Inquiring-Mind]

Right wingers blow, and have fucked me over on a regular basis. I'll fuckin slap an aristocrat, how can anyone who isn't filthy rich support conservatives in america, I don't get it.
They have the power to form people's views.

Conservatives have learned to appeal to people's religious beliefs and insecurities easily.

The number one news channel in America is Fox. The school system is anti liberal.

[TheMadcapSyd]

They have the power to form people's views.

Conservatives have learned to appeal to people's religious beliefs and insecurities easily.

The number one news channel in America is Fox. The school system is anti liberal.The school system is anti-liberal? What friggen country are you living in?

And actually CNN still has a greater percent of viewers then FOX does, though the gap has closed in the past couple of years.

[themnax]

a conservative is someone who puts what they believe to be tradition ahead of what they believe to be morality

a libral is someone who puts what they believe to be morality ahead of what they believe to be tradition.

both are equaly capable of being mistaken on both counts, and frequently are.

(and i'd rather be mistaken for a libral then a conservative. not because i want to be a saint. i don't. but because the kind of world we all have to live in has a lot to do with how happy individual people can be in their own lives and experiences)

=^^=
.../\...

[evil_right-winger]

A conservative is someone who’s in touch with reality…

[2cesarewild]

ROFL, sure buddy.

[AT98BooBoo]

Right wingers blow, and have fucked me over on a regular basis. I'll fuckin slap an aristocrat, how can anyone who isn't filthy rich support conservatives in america, I don't get it.
Conservatives are quite adept at brainwashing due to the fact that their appeal is mostly emotional. Most people live and act emotionally because most people don't or can't think for themselves.

When it comes down to it, emotional appeal will usually win out over intellectual appeal.

[2cesarewild]

Yes those who don't think and the filthy rich I should have said lol.

[Mert no.2]

Conservatives are quite adept at brainwashing due to the fact that their appeal is mostly emotional. Most people live and act emotionally because most people don't or can't think for themselves.

When it comes down to it, emotional appeal will usually win out over intellectual appeal.
I always thought this myself...that conservatives are generally less intelligent. Certainly seems to apply to every conservative I've met and every conservative I've came about through the news or books.

[Mert no.2]

And those that are intelligent tend to be malign and use their intelligence in wicked ways.

[themnax]

A conservative is someone who’s in touch with reality…

that is what they try to pretend, or are you just being cynicly satyrical?

whatever it is the're in touch with, it doesn't bear the slightest resemblence to any objective reality i've ever observed.

the reality that humans are gullable maybe, while trying to pretend and deny up one side and down the other that this is the case.

liberals and conservatives are both mystaken more often then not about both morality and tradition, but a conserviative is still someone who puts what they claim to be tradition ahead of any rational concept of morality while a liberal does the opposite and puts what they believe, perhapse nearly as often mistakenly, to be morality ahead of the pseudo-traditions of so called conservatism.

where neither make sense, is in putting any idiology ahead of the kind of world, we all, every last one of us, actualy, in every day life, have to live in.

=^^=
.../\...

[herrmination]

True conservatism is the way the government should be run:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_conservatism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism
[/QUOTE]
Agreed.

True conservatism is less government in your life, no big shots calling the shots.

True Liberalism aka. Socialism is the true tyranny.

Does anyone else notice how the Democrat Party ideas and philosophies resemble almost exactly Hitlers agenda during WW2.....dont make me explain this, seriously. It was indeed the Nazi Socialist Party.

[herrmination]

Also....

Try not to pin Conservatives for being Pro Choice retarded imbred racist Christain hicks. These are just the people who are screwing up my PARTY!

The idea of Small government has been around longer then abortions.

[Inquiring-Mind]

True conservatism is less government in your life, no big shots calling the shots.
Bullshit, true conservatism minimizes your social freedom and maximizes your economic freedom. Something the founding fathers hated.

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a monied aristocracy that has set the government at defiance. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people to whom it properly belongs.
Thomas Jefferson
I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.Thomas Jefferson True Liberalism aka. Socialism is the true tyranny.
Without liberalism you wouldn't be using a computer.

Were the founding fathers tyrannic?

Liberalism is a political ideology while socialism is an economic theory.

Socialism without liberty is cruelty, liberty without socialism is injustice.


Does anyone else notice how the Democrat Party ideas and philosophies resemble almost exactly Hitlers agenda during WW2.....dont make me explain this, seriously. It was indeed the Nazi Socialist Party.Who is in power?

[Inquiring-Mind]

why not? :H
Because conservatism is anti change/progress. If it weren't for liberalism, we would still be in the stone age and equating disease to sin.

Science would not exist everything would be because of god.

[polymer]

"progressive is adaptive, conservative is ignorant"

even says so on a bumper sticker.

to evolve means to adapt, and conservatives are maladaptive, period.

Herrm, you are incorrect... Republicans have always stood for capitalism, while Democrats have traditionally represented "the little people".
Neo-Conservatives are utter scum with stagnant minds, who are complacent with hard work; mindslaves to the almighty dollar... yeah, that's real ethical. Damn the environment, full speed ahead.
and with their self-righteous moral-based decision making,
As a scientist, I consider them an enemy to real progress.


dumb hicks who support a man who cuts taxes on the rich, but not the working class, should really stay in bed and never get up. They are too dumb to function as competent members of society; Bush does not subsidize John Deere equipment, instead he loosens air quality restrictions on oligopolies like the Exxon-Mobil group. If it wasn't for their hospitality in this state, I'd do what the punks did to the hicks at the beginning of 'SLC Punk'.

and I can never understand why some young people decide to keep their minds in an unimaginative rut; look outside of your fish-bowl microcosm, kiddies...there's a much bigger picture to look at. Stop thinking about today and yesterday, and focus on tomorrow.

[Flight From Ashiya]

That's quite a good description of 'Conservatism'.

In Britain,the word is less associated with political dogmatism & more understood to define a political party:
'The Conservative Party' .
They are anti-change & under Margaret Thatcher were- as 'lassaiz-fair' as possible.
I identify 'conservatism' as the rich & priviliged's code for maintaing their wealth & luxury from generation to generation.