Why do political party names suggest the exact opposite of what they really mean?

Question

i.e. conservatives actually want LESS government.. more rights for the people.. but harsher punishments for disobeying them. And conservatives don't really "conserve" anything...
liberals want MORE government.. and (really quite truly) less rights for the people.. since there would be more government the gov't would take care of more issues.. and liberals want to "conserve" the environment and all...


I mean.. what the hell? Political parties become more and more bullshit to me the more I read about them and its members.

Answer 1

I think you are fairly close with your stereotyping. I would not agree that Conservatives do not care about the environment. We just don't have consensus yet.

Remember the labels are old. They predate environmental issues, for example.

The labels come from Constitutional interpretation. Conservatives want to conserve the original intent of the framers.

Liberals want the will of the majority to define the Constitution.

Answer 2

It would be a serious though quite common mistake to label the parties Democrat=liberal, Republican=conservative, though both parties seem to want that error to be the norm.
Liberals are willing to take a leap of faith based on limited evidence. Conservatives are less willing to make changes without solid evidence that the changes will do more good than harm.
Limited government is not really in favor with either party, and is an ideal not really on the liberal-conservative axis, unless you plan to run against the Federalists (you may now remove your tricorn hat).
Republicans tend to be on the side of business owners/operators. Democrats on the side of labor. Again, not of necessity on the liberal-conservative axis.
This is a 3-D map, not a left-to-right single line. One reason so many countries have multiple political parties.

Answer 3

Erica who's to say?
Like for example may Conservatives are against abortion.
Where as the the liberals believe it should be the woman's choice.
Here is the kicker.
The conservatives want less goverment so they want to cut back on federal programs such a food stamps, Wic, etc.
So you have to have your baby but shoot let if starve.
Where as the liberal
Are pro these programs.
Okay you decided to have your baby, we will help you take care of your baby if you can't.
Make sense to u?

Answer 4

Actually your premises are incorrect:

Being a liberal is being a constitutionalists. Being a conservativist is more difficult to define precisely due to the different categories of conservatism. There is the so-called compassionate conservative, the fiscally conservative and lastly there is the socially conservative.

In an attempt to answer your question, I will elaborate on my personal liberal reasons for leaning far left.

I believe in freedom of speech, separation of church and state, a person's right to bear arms, in the Bill of Rights making all ppl equal and believe that minorities should not be discriminated against, etc... I believe in the constitution and fully support this great nation's Supreme Court's interpretation of it.

I do NOT believe in majority rule or changing the constitution just because the majority says so.

I believe this country CORE value is the right of the ONE!

In more detail, here is why I am a 'liberal' and a democrat:

- I believe in war as a last resort or unless we or an ally have been attacked. IEs, Gulf War and Pearl Harbor
- I believe in UN support and if the UN is corrupt, instead of bailing on them, fix it.
- I believe we have a duty to pay our elderly social security because they paid those funds when they were working. That is like robbing them if we do not pay it back.
- I do not believe trickle down economics of Reagan, Bush Sr, and Bush Jr works. It never works. I believe in Clinton's economic system that is commonly referred to as Pay-As-You-Go... I believe in fiscal responsibility to not burden our children with our large debts.
- I believe in FDR's New Deal that the republican party has been trying to destroy piece by piece.
- I believe our social programs that keep families from living under bridges prevent us from becoming a 3rd world country.
- I believe in welfare but I also believe in Clinton's welfare reform where it is limited to 2 to 3 years in a lifetime. This prevents ppl from living on it their entire life; thereby, prevents welfare abuse.
- I believe in universal healthcare because a healthy nation is a powerful nation and also the pharmcy/insurance companies are corrupt.
- I believe in government regulation of monopolies such as power/energy, cable and telephone companies. Everytime the government deregulates these industries, they promise the price will go down but it never does... it always increases thereby increases the cost of living.
- I do not believe in making laws that violate constiutional rights... such as the Patriot Act or even seatbelt laws.
- I do not believe in making new laws everytime a problem arises; but rather, to fix the problem.
- I believe in gay marriage because gay ppl pay taxes too and heteorsexual couples should not be given special rights by the states just because they are straight. Otherwise take away those special rights and don't allow the state to recognize anyone's marriage.
- I believe in a woman's right to choose because just as the Supreme Court has ruled, a woman has a constitutional right to privacy over what happens to her body.
- I believe in the right to own a gun because it is a constitutional right.
- I believe in the constitution 110% and the liberties it allows each citizen.
- I am anti-illegal immigration because simply, they break the law by entering illegally therefore are criminals.
- I believe in complete separation of church and state per the constitution and as interpreted by Thomas Jefferson who stated, "thus building a wall of separation between Church and State"
- I believe in SMALL GOVERNMENT in terms of big brother staying the hell out of my business. I've never participated in a census and refuse to. I am a LIBERAL and believe government has NO RIGHT to stick its nose in my business.

So you see, being a liberal American is being more for small government in a sense and being more for obeying the constitution.

Answer 5

It is not whether they want more or less govt, but who the govt will control
Conservatives want the govt to control those with little or no power
Liberals want govt to intercede for those without power

Answer 6

Republican, as they have curtailed our freedoms, andwould not stand for a true republic