hey. I'm currently considering whether to take up some left-wing conservative views.
*pauses for uncomfortable silence*
In the US conservatives is typically associated with both Capitalism, Christianity and (debatably) Libertarianism. So it may come as a surprise that in many respects Communists historically shared conservative views. Here are a few examples;
At the heart of the issue is the fact that Communists do not recognise a separation between the law and morality, or public and private spheres of activity (such as within an individual's household and family). This means they resemble theocratic and social conservative attitudes rather than liberal-progressives on many issues (the major exception being the separation of church and state). They also shared a deep scepticism of individual liberty as potentially an "irrational" factor within a planned socio-economic system.
This is all rather... Alien... as someone who was extremely liberal. Besides a vague awareness of the debates between Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine as an origin of conflicts between liberals and conservatives, this is a completely new way of thinking for me.
If you have some resources or links (a few good Wikipedia pages would be OK) just to introduce what it means to be a conservative that would be really useful. I am willing to read capitalist and Christian conservative works and hear it out as it may provide some clarity or inspiration. I am just exploring and keep an open mind to suggestions. If I am under some deep illusions about what conservativism is, your welcome to point those out too.
The main thing I want to ask is how you deal with the often knee-jerk "more freedom is better" intellectual climate and how to make a rational case for conservativism.
As for all my liberal RF friends reading this, you can stop laughing. *blushes*
*pauses for uncomfortable silence*
In the US conservatives is typically associated with both Capitalism, Christianity and (debatably) Libertarianism. So it may come as a surprise that in many respects Communists historically shared conservative views. Here are a few examples;
- Prohibition of Alcohol
- Criminalisation of Drug use
- Support for the Death Penalty
- Prohibiting Abortion (to increase population growth)
- Criminalising Homosexuality
- Gun Control
- Militarism, including "wars of liberation" to spread *cough* their way of life.
- Fighting Islamic fundamentalism in Afghanistan and Central Asia. (Just worth mentioning )
- Patriotism (although based on social system rather than national identity)
- Invasions of privacy to combat the threat of terrorism and counter revolutionary activities.
- Widespread Censorship including banning Jazz music as western cultural influence.
- Use of monetary incentives and competition within the workplace to increase productivity (North Korea went as far to offically abolish income tax in the 70's)...
- Opposing inflationary deficit spending and having a balanced budget...
At the heart of the issue is the fact that Communists do not recognise a separation between the law and morality, or public and private spheres of activity (such as within an individual's household and family). This means they resemble theocratic and social conservative attitudes rather than liberal-progressives on many issues (the major exception being the separation of church and state). They also shared a deep scepticism of individual liberty as potentially an "irrational" factor within a planned socio-economic system.
This is all rather... Alien... as someone who was extremely liberal. Besides a vague awareness of the debates between Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine as an origin of conflicts between liberals and conservatives, this is a completely new way of thinking for me.
If you have some resources or links (a few good Wikipedia pages would be OK) just to introduce what it means to be a conservative that would be really useful. I am willing to read capitalist and Christian conservative works and hear it out as it may provide some clarity or inspiration. I am just exploring and keep an open mind to suggestions. If I am under some deep illusions about what conservativism is, your welcome to point those out too.
The main thing I want to ask is how you deal with the often knee-jerk "more freedom is better" intellectual climate and how to make a rational case for conservativism.
As for all my liberal RF friends reading this, you can stop laughing. *blushes*