Friday, December 03, 2004
Definitions of conservatism and liberalism
Thomas J. New of Lawrenceville has asked that I furnish my "definitions of conservatism and liberalism". Let me begin by copping out and presenting the Webster's dictionary definitions. Conservatism, in brief, is described as adhering to the principles of "traditionalism, orthodoxy and conventionalism".
Nothing pejorative here as far as I can see. Conservatives, politically speaking
are referred to as "unprogressive, die hard and traditional". Ambiguous to say the least, because there are obviously conservatives who don't fit this mold.
Liberalism, according to Webster, is described as "free thinking, humanitarianism and a few other isms beyond my scope. Liberals are defined as "altruistic, open minded, humanistic, progressive and tolerant". No mention of
a 'tax and spend' mentality, but my dictionary is a little long in the tooth.
Incidentally, speaking for myself as a life long liberal democrat, I have never ever adhered to the principle of 'tax and spend', nor do I have a craving for big government (has there ever been bigger government than we have right now?)
I suppose, from a right wing conservative point of view , this makes me a failed liberal, but I'll just have to muddle through the best I can.
Is it possible for one to take a liberal stance on some issues and a conservative
position on others? Not to many, I'm afraid. We have become so entrenched in our personal approach to the way things should be that we seldom allow wiggle room for compromise.
Thomas New, I suspect that in describing how I define the difference between conservatism and liberalism I would fall far short of a fair evaluation, because I see both positive and negative aspects of both. The war in Iraq, when taken in
perspective, makes it abundently clear, what a hurdle both sides face in defining
the right...or left...road to travel.
George Morin
Auburn
Nothing pejorative here as far as I can see. Conservatives, politically speaking
are referred to as "unprogressive, die hard and traditional". Ambiguous to say the least, because there are obviously conservatives who don't fit this mold.
Liberalism, according to Webster, is described as "free thinking, humanitarianism and a few other isms beyond my scope. Liberals are defined as "altruistic, open minded, humanistic, progressive and tolerant". No mention of
a 'tax and spend' mentality, but my dictionary is a little long in the tooth.
Incidentally, speaking for myself as a life long liberal democrat, I have never ever adhered to the principle of 'tax and spend', nor do I have a craving for big government (has there ever been bigger government than we have right now?)
I suppose, from a right wing conservative point of view , this makes me a failed liberal, but I'll just have to muddle through the best I can.
Is it possible for one to take a liberal stance on some issues and a conservative
position on others? Not to many, I'm afraid. We have become so entrenched in our personal approach to the way things should be that we seldom allow wiggle room for compromise.
Thomas New, I suspect that in describing how I define the difference between conservatism and liberalism I would fall far short of a fair evaluation, because I see both positive and negative aspects of both. The war in Iraq, when taken in
perspective, makes it abundently clear, what a hurdle both sides face in defining
the right...or left...road to travel.
George Morin
Auburn
