Define "Conservatism"

Dante the Marxist

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Conservatism is not any single idea. There are as many forms of Conservatism as there are countries in the world.

Perhaps you consider American Conservatism the only Conservatism, while discounting the actual meaning of the word:

con·ser·va·tism (kn-sûrv-tzm)
n.
1. The inclination, especially in politics, to maintain the existing or traditional order.
2. A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order.
3. Conservatism The principles and policies of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom or of the Progressive Conservative Party in Canada.
4. Caution or moderation, as in behavior or outlook.

Link:http://www.thefreedictionary.com/conservatism

The freedictionary.com got this from the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Laguage, 4th Edition.

According to this definition, a Hard-Line Stalinist in Russia could be considered a Conservative. A Monarchist in Japan could be considered a Conservative. And there are many other examples of Conservatism in other countries that are very different than American Conservatism. I am sure that Gipper, Pandora, Always, and Palerider will say "CONSERVATISM IS FREEDOM AND LOVE OF GOD" or some other mindless drivel. Bit they have never been able to back up thier arguments, so I generally dismiss them as brainwashed government drones. If anyone has a LEGITEMATE argument, then respond. [But a few bigots, none of whome I listed above, are on ignore list, you know who you are].
 
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Conservatism is not any single idea. There are as many forms of Conservatism as there are countries in the world.

Perhaps you consider American Conservatism the only Conservatism, while discounting the actual meaning of the word:

con·ser·va·tism (kn-sûrv-tzm)
n.
1. The inclination, especially in politics, to maintain the existing or traditional order.
2. A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order.
3. Conservatism The principles and policies of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom or of the Progressive Conservative Party in Canada.
4. Caution or moderation, as in behavior or outlook.

Link:http://www.thefreedictionary.com/conservatism

The freedictionary.com got this from the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Laguage, 4th Edition.

According to this definition, a Hard-Line Stalinist in Russia could be considered a Conservative. A Monarchist in Japan could be considered a Conservative. And there are many other examples of Conservatism in other countries that are very different than American Conservatism. I am sure that Gipper, Pandora, Always, and Palerider will say "CONSERVATISM IS FREEDOM AND LOVE OF GOD" or some other mindless drivel. Bit they have never been able to back up thier arguments, so I generally dismiss them as brainwashed government drones. If anyone has a LEGITEMATE argument, then respond. [But a few bigots, none of whome I listed above, are on ignore list, you know who you are].

I believe you have a basic misunderstanding. If you are trying to define modern conservativism, you will need to do your research into classical liberalism. I believe you would find, if you looked, that most modern conservatives would gladly live under a strict interpretation of the Constitution which is, in fact, classical ilberalism incarnate.

In short and sweet terms, classical liberalism values limited government and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets which is the intent behind the constitution and what modern conservatives want. If you wonder whether you are a classical liberal just ask yourself whether or not you would like to live under a government that operated on a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
 
I believe you have a basic misunderstanding. If you are trying to define modern conservativism, you will need to do your research into classical liberalism. I believe you would find, if you looked, that most modern conservatives would gladly live under a strict interpretation of the Constitution which is, in fact, classical ilberalism incarnate.

In short and sweet terms, classical liberalism values limited government and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets which is the intent behind the constitution and what modern conservatives want. If you wonder whether you are a classical liberal just ask yourself whether or not you would like to live under a government that operated on a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Oh yes. We conservatives are classical liberals. So true.

And "liberals" today are classical socialists.

Hey THC, see Pale's post. It will help to enlighten you to the error of your thinking.

And hey Pale, Karl (aka Dante the Marxist) left us. See the "bye" thread.
 
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Conservatism is not any single idea. There are as many forms of Conservatism as there are countries in the world.

Perhaps you consider American Conservatism the only Conservatism, while discounting the actual meaning of the word:

con·ser·va·tism (kn-sûrv-tzm)
n.
1. The inclination, especially in politics, to maintain the existing or traditional order.
2. A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order.
3. Conservatism The principles and policies of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom or of the Progressive Conservative Party in Canada.
4. Caution or moderation, as in behavior or outlook.

Link:http://www.thefreedictionary.com/conservatism

The freedictionary.com got this from the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Laguage, 4th Edition.

According to this definition, a Hard-Line Stalinist in Russia could be considered a Conservative. A Monarchist in Japan could be considered a Conservative. And there are many other examples of Conservatism in other countries that are very different than American Conservatism. I am sure that Gipper, Pandora, Always, and Palerider will say "CONSERVATISM IS FREEDOM AND LOVE OF GOD" or some other mindless drivel. Bit they have never been able to back up thier arguments, so I generally dismiss them as brainwashed government drones. If anyone has a LEGITEMATE argument, then respond. [But a few bigots, none of whome I listed above, are on ignore list, you know who you are].


First off, I don't see how you could define the "hard line Stalinist" as a Conservative. "Stalinism", or communism, socialism, etc., are more of a "Liberal" trait since they use the force of government, or the military, to effect change in the traditional nature of a country, society, etc. Much the same as liberalism has accomplished here in America. No longer do we have the traditional view of the family, or morality. Obama promised "change", and he certainly is not a Conservative, and is closer to Stalinism.

The Monarchy I could see as "Conservative" in only one definition of the word, and that is "resisting change".

Conservatism in the American style as spoken of by the Founders, and capitalists such as Adam Smith, did not mean a lack of change. In fact the Constitution was written in a manner which would allow for change. However, this "change" was intended by the Founders to be one of reflective thought supported by a majority of the people, not the knee jerk form of change we see today.

Conservatism also required the right of the individual, not the collective body of Marxism, socialism, etc. It does not contemplate the control of all matters such as is being demonstrated by the Government, unions, and corporations. ALL of these entities as empowered today destroy the individualism spoken of by the Founders. It stifles competition which is necessary for the individual to "persue happiness" through the opportunities available.

So, while you have many dictionary definitions of what Conservatism is, your general application of the meaning is skewed.
 
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