Conservativism and liberalism?

Question

Who were the forefathers of them, and how have they changed?

Correction: Conservatism. Sorry about that. Stupid error.

Answer 1

(sigh)

Conservatism is ageless. It's just reactionary traditionalism.
It happens that today 'conservatives' are traditionalists about upholding economic, social, religious liberalism -- so the dichotomy is just one in name.

The so-called conservatives could all find roots in Hobbes, Burke, and some crazy people like Ayn Rand.

Liberalism began around Locke's time -- it's a political stance of toleration, open debate, blalablabla. But nothing a modern conservative would dispute without uprooting the holy grail of economic prosperity.

Answer 2

Conservatism is grounded in the self sufficient philosophy that built this Nation. From our beginning Americans who really matter have been independant, determined, self motivated and grounded in Faith.
Liberalism is relatively young in comparison. It mostly grew out of the Vietnam era when College Students were indoctrinated by Communist Professors who infiltrated our Universities. Teaching our youngsters that America was an evil Nation that sought to take over the World.
Soon after Feminism took off ushering in the destruction of the Family and Infanticide.
Liberalism embraces Humanism, Paganism and a total Antichrist philosophy.
In fact their very name is a misnomer, for they have liberated no one. It was in fact the Conservatives who freed the Slaves, Who create jobs, who promote small business, they are the true liberators.
Keep in mind, were talking about Conservatism, not Republicanism....Today, more than ever there is a difference.

Answer 3

ok, neither of the first two answerers seemed to know what they were talking about. Neither conservatism nor liberalism have "founders," especially if you ignore the shallow popular meanings of conservatism and liberalism. Conservatism is the generic doctrine that social change should be non-existant or minimal and traditional norms are correct. Liberalism is the generic doctrine that social traditions may be wrong and society should be willing to change. Modern liberalism traces its roots back to the individualism and skepticism of the enlightenment. Modern conservatism (as with most forms of conservatism) is reactive - it seeks to maintain the status quo in the face of change. The popular meanings of liberal and conservative are not very good definitions of the terms. For example, popularly libertarians are on the "far right" and so very "conservative," but their position on most issues is radically liberal. They think that tradition should always be trumped by individual rights and reason should supplant faith.

justin is wrong because there would still be conservatism today if christianity had never existed. conservatism in america today often takes the form of christianity, but that's only because the christianity is the tradition america has inherited. If buddhism or hinduism were the inherited traditions, conservatism would be expressed through them. When christianity first emerged, it was not "conservative;" its challenge to the existing order and call for the virtues of the weak were more akin to a liberal doctrine. Today it is often conservative because it has become the entrenched tradition. You are also seeing conservatives embrace enlightenment values (such as calling for individual freedom in the economic sphere) as the enlightenment values gradually become the statu quo.

The forms that conservatism and liberalism take in america should be seen as only one manifestation of two trends: opposing the accepted order or embracing it. We shouldn't think that conservatism or liberalism in america is conservatism or liberalism period. Many american conservatives would be radical liberals in saudi arabia.

Gizmo: I'm afraid that you especially don't know what you're talking about. Liberal and conservative trends go back much further than american history. And if you mean liberalism or conservatism in the contemporary forms, modern conservatism is actually the younger doctrine. What conservatives today believe is not what conservatives believed even 50 years ago. Modern conservatism largely emerged in the 70's in response to the challenge of the radical '60's. Conservatives a few decades ago took positions that conservatives today would not touch with a ten foot pole. Racial segregation, unequal rights for women, prohibition of interracial dating, etc. were commonly held conservative views until very recently. With the collapse of the acceptability of these positions, conservatism had to remake itself. I dare say something similar will happen in the future in regards to the evolution and gay marriage issues. Modern liberalism, on the other hand, has not made such sweeping changes to its doctrines. What Bertrand Russell argued for almost 100 years ago or John Stuart Mill 200 years ago are still widely held liberal positions.

Liberals have liberated no one? Well, ignoring the slavery abolitionist and woman's suffrage movements (both of which were liberal movements because they challenged established tradition and justifications of white male dominance) the women's rights movements and civil rights movements were both undoubtedly liberal and both served to liberate people from the domination that accompanies unequal treatment. As for the business aspect, large corporations are one of the most dominating institutions today, exploiting the third world and damaging the environment. I guess its a real Orwellian ability to be able to call this "liberating."

Finally, what does republicanism have to do with conservatism? Republicanism is the lack of a monarch. Historically its been more of a liberal position. "Republicanism" is not the doctrine of the republican party, if thats what you mean. I think you need to take a historical view of things, and not get confused by the shallow nature of the popular culture debate.

Answer 4

they would be the very first humans. those who support change, and those who are content with the way they are.

Answer 5

well without christianity......there would be no modern day conservatism. modern day conservatism is fueled by christianity....thus the "religious right" phrase used all the time.

modern day liberalism is nothing more than a rebellion of this traditionalism and foundation.

who founded modern day liberalism.... but the devil himself. Liberalism has no truth in it...and neither does he.

i realize this may be an unpopular answer....so be it.