open Democracy News Analysis - Definition of a conservative, - Comments

Matt Murrell on "Definition of a conservative"

Matt Murrell — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 15:20:10 +0000

It's when politicians go quiet that worries me.

Joeanna Nee on "Definition of a conservative"

Joeanna Nee — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 13:32:50 +0000

Well, I think cynical and politics run hand in hand, but Ill stick with the waffling Independents! Republicans and democrats yell at each other too much!

Matt Murrell on "Definition of a conservative"

Matt Murrell — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 09:43:57 +0000

I think even independents can have conservative or liberal leanings. I'd say it's only because there are so few differences between the main parties that people can flit between the two. But, then again, I am a cynical left-leaning Green Party supporter, so...

Joeanna Nee on "Definition of a conservative"

Joeanna Nee — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 02:01:44 +0000

Is there such a thing as a conservative independent? Or a liberal one? that sounds like an oxymoron doesnt it? Or maybe I am just too tired...is it really that late?

Matt Murrell on "Definition of a conservative"

Matt Murrell — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:53:24 +0000

Depends on whether you’re a conservative independent, or a liberal one? :p I think Gordon Brown came close to capturing the difference between conservatives and liberals (or socialists) in his speech today – one places emphasis on the marketplace, the other on the public square. Consumers Vs citizens. In theory at least, at party levels the positions are much the same. The labels have become almost meaningless, a consequence of political views evolving over time. The official left-wing / right-wing split in British politics goes back to the formation of parliament, which divided into two ideological groups: conservatives and radicals. The former advocating the status quo, the others advocating change. These groups were pretty amorphous, with politicians switching from one to the other depending on the issue under question. It was only with the creation of political Parties with registered membership and manifestos that political views shifted from an individual level to a party one. The official designation of parties as either conservative or liberal/socialist has led to some absurdities. For example, left-wingers in the Soviet Union would be conservatives, as they advocated the status quo. While conservatives in the Bush administration have advocated sweeping changes both at home and abroad. Perhaps it’s time that these labels were abandoned after all?

Joeanna Nee on "Definition of a conservative"

Joeanna Nee — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 12:08:18 +0000

Independents think and feel, then decide for themselves without the constraints that hold the conservatives and liberals back- due to labels that are drastically outdated. ;)

PFS on "Definition of a conservative"

PFS — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 09:55:57 +0000

A conservative rejects alternative beliefs because he is afraid of alternative realities

san_1 on "Definition of a conservative"

san_1 — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 07:43:46 +0000

A conservative conserves his ideas whereas a Liberal earns and spends them.

Ttrryosborn on "Definition of a conservative"

Ttrryosborn — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 05:53:15 +0000

brolly, tsk, tsk, tsk. Running out of ideas are we?

brolly3 on "Definition of a conservative"

brolly3 — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 01:39:00 +0000

Ttrryosborn, And you would be the boil, full of bacteria and nasty pus.

Ttrryosborn on "Definition of a conservative"

Ttrryosborn — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 01:35:34 +0000

brolly, and you would be the pimple on their backsides?

brolly3 on "Definition of a conservative"

brolly3 — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 01:07:32 +0000

Ttrryosborn, [2Liberals think with their hearts. Conservatives think with their heads".] And neoconservatives think with their backsides!

Ttrryosborn on "Definition of a conservative"

Ttrryosborn — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 00:07:48 +0000

Liberals think with their hearts. Conservatives think with their heads.

Matt Murrell on "Definition of a conservative"

Matt Murrell — Sun, 25 Sep 2005 19:25:44 +0000

"A conservative is a person who was a liberal when young and has not changed his mind." - Samuel Beer "The radical of one century is the conservative of the next. The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out the conservative adopts them." - Mark Twain

Definition of a conservative,

PFS — Sun, 25 Sep 2005 16:12:06 +0000

"Liberals feel guilty about their wealth. Conservatives believe they deserve every penny they've stolen."