Politics are no longer measured on a sliding "left-right" scale. Liberalism is not Socialism, never was. Socialists that call themselves Liberal are not, they are Socialist. Socialism is not Communism, any more than it is Liberalism. American Conservatives are actually VERY Liberal on a global political scale factoring in theologically-based governments.
Confused yet? It's ok, most Americans are....the latest election underscores this pretty clearly.
The Core Definition of "Liberal": "a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties." - I know many a "Conservative" now that believes and argues these values.
However, in Socialism, Autonomy is admonished: "a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole." - I know many a "liberal" that believe in and have argued these values.
Conservatism: "(or conservativism) is any political philosophy that favours tradition (in the sense of various religious, cultural, or nationally-defined beliefs and customs) in the face of external forces for change, and is critical of proposals for radical social change." It is also a part of modern Liberalism (Like in Tibet, Taiwan, and at one point in the North America and Europe) to defend culture and religious diversity.
Many do not know that some of the concepts of Libertarianism started with very Socialist roots...fascinating.
According to a survey, my beliefs fall within the smaller triangle (Purple)...with some parts in the dark blue. I'm not a conservative. I definitely believe in change, small business growth, environment, etc, but I also believe culture can change through individual study and enlightenment, not because of the heavy-hand of bureaucrats and government. This is more of a classical form of Liberalism. I left the Democratic party, as I said before, due to it's strong Socialist-lean in the last 8 years.......
Where does yours fall?
That is all.
Confused yet? It's ok, most Americans are....the latest election underscores this pretty clearly.
The Core Definition of "Liberal": "a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties." - I know many a "Conservative" now that believes and argues these values.
However, in Socialism, Autonomy is admonished: "a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole." - I know many a "liberal" that believe in and have argued these values.
Conservatism: "(or conservativism) is any political philosophy that favours tradition (in the sense of various religious, cultural, or nationally-defined beliefs and customs) in the face of external forces for change, and is critical of proposals for radical social change." It is also a part of modern Liberalism (Like in Tibet, Taiwan, and at one point in the North America and Europe) to defend culture and religious diversity.
Many do not know that some of the concepts of Libertarianism started with very Socialist roots...fascinating.
According to a survey, my beliefs fall within the smaller triangle (Purple)...with some parts in the dark blue. I'm not a conservative. I definitely believe in change, small business growth, environment, etc, but I also believe culture can change through individual study and enlightenment, not because of the heavy-hand of bureaucrats and government. This is more of a classical form of Liberalism. I left the Democratic party, as I said before, due to it's strong Socialist-lean in the last 8 years.......
Where does yours fall?
That is all.
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