Whats your personal definition of "Conservative"? Dont limit yourself to political either please.?

Question

I want to know both. Separating Republican from Conservative and Liberal from Democrat, tell me your opinion from both political and personal points of view on the definition and do you think they can be viewed as separate.

Yes I do want to find out. Because I think of myself as conservative in my life choses, but ive aslways been open minded. Thats why I dont think just republican or democrat.

pink_angel ive heard many of the same words describing liberals..seems to go both ways..and tediz what about the preachers that let politicans on their pulputs..most if not all are liberals.

Romare, im speaking from experience in my town, so if its different elsewhere I defer to you .

Answer 1

A conservative is hesitant to change, preferring the familiar and "black and white" perspective over the unfamiliar and "shades of gray" perspective. Also, they revert to their same tried and true practices when making decisions because these have generally worked for them in the past.

I think most Americans like myself are a mixture of both, which is why our country works so well... it's our politicos who have hijacked our labels and made them "dirty words", depending on whether you identify predominately as "conservative" or "liberal." To them you have to be one or the other, unfortunately.

Answer 2

Conservatives (in the political sense) tend to favor economic freedom, but frequently support laws to restrict personal behavior that violates "traditional values." They oppose excessive government control of business, while endorsing government action to defend morality and the traditional family structure. Conservatives usually support a strong military, oppose bureaucracy and high taxes, favor a free-market economy, and endorse strong law enforcement. They play the role of society's "father figure", namely the protector and disciplinarian.

In many other arenas "conservative" is a synonym for "cautious". A conservative approach is one that limits the risks in order to minimize potential damages. Such a method is one designed to make small, incremental steps consistently forward instead of great leaps in both directions. It can also be used to as a pseudonym for the "worst case" scenario. If someone uses the phrase "conservative estimate" it means they're figuring everything that can go bad, will.

I think that republicans, in general, TRY to follow a conservative approach to life. Sometimes they're successful, other times not. The current group of republicans running the show are NOT conservatives. The explosion of government spending alone puts the lie to the fiscal responsibility that is a cornerstone of the conservative philosophy. Coupled with massive increases in government size and scope, not to mention the erosion of states' rights, and the necessity of the term "neo-conservative" becomes apparent. I think the republican party is made up mostly of conservatives and neo-conservatives. It follows that the philosophy will lead to the party platform. The republicans generally claim a conservative platform, and the democrats a liberal one. The degree to which they go is dependent on the candidate, but you probably won't see a democrat calling for an end to welfare, easing of corporate regulations, lower taxes, and more laws legislating morality.

In all honesty I think the voters themselves are rather moderate, and claim a particular status due to one or two big issues they resonate with (such as abortion or gun control). Not to say there aren't die hard conservatives in the ranks, but I'd say the majority of the country is moderate enough not to care about party affiliation if it weren't for a few issues. When someone tells me they're a registered republican I don't automatically assume they're super conservative, I just figure they lean towards a low tax, law and order type of society. So yes, I do think you can separate conservatives from republicans. It's a good rule of thumb though, the same way that assuming democrats lean towards a liberal society is a good rule of thumb.

Answer 3

Socialism is where the country's government controls all production and goods distribution. It's an economic system. There can be freedom of action in Socialism, but economically you are a slave to the government since they control the distribution of wealth within the country. Communism is where the country's government owns everything and therefore has total control over everything. Typically the economic system in a Communist country will follow Socialist principles. In Communism the government can effectively directly control every aspect of your life. What businesses can be opened, what they can sell, how much you can make, what media can present, what schools can teach, what Internet access people can have, etc. Fascism is where the government essentially manufactures excuses for implementing policies to control and restrict the population. Fascism provides the illusion of freedom. You may have freedom on paper but in reality all of the indirect rules and restrictions prevent you from exercising that freedom. Example: Restricting vehicle choice by way of excessive selective taxing or regulations on automakers in the name of protecting the environment would be a fascist policy.

Answer 4

First of all, "Democrat" and "Republican" have little meaning whatsoever. It's not much different than the names of two sports teams. Neither consistently stand for a particular ideology, both vie for supremacy.

Conservatives are people who do not except new ideas on the basis that they are new. They critically analyze new ideas before accepting them. Because most new ideas in the last century have been bad, they have become very suspicious of new ideas.

Liberals are people who will automatically accept anything if it's "new". They analyze things on the basis of whether they sound good or not, and not whether they coincide with history, science, or reality. They don't believe in right or wrong, good and evil.

Answer 5

Hey Wolf: I guess Bill Gates is living off your taxes, right? He's a Democrat.

Ronedon: You're kidding about the pulpits, right? Almost all the evangelical pastors and conservative priests were telling their congregations who to vote for in the last presidential elections. Also, when someone says that conservatives don't believe in the separation of church and state, that's a much bigger issue than someone being a guest at a church.

Answer 6

Tough question! You really have made me think! Can I separate my opinion of "conservative" from my political views? OK...let's try.

Generally, a conservative believes in absolutes, especially in the area of right and wrong. We base much, if not all of our beliefs on Biblical standards, or the social equivalent to those standards. We are often not affected by the changing trends in the society around us, and pride ourselves in being consistent and balanced (at least by our perception, though at times I am sure others do not agree).

Unfortunately, as with any label we place on ourselves, calling ourselves "conservative" aligns us with both those with whom we agree, and every zealot who chooses the label for himself. Just as I try not to stereotype the "liberals", I would hope that "conservatives" would deserve the same benefit. Our country's government was based on the right to form and express your opinion. That is what makes the system work.

Answer 7

Ronedon,
The best definition of the difference between a Republican and a Democrat, or a member of the Conservative Party and the Labor Party or any other two party system on the planet.

“One is in power and wants to stay there and the other one is out of power and wants to get there”!

That about sums it up for me. I belong to neither party and I deplore our two party system. None other that our first president warned the American People, in his farewell address, NOT to adopt a two party system. We, of course, did not listen to the know-nothing upstart, George Washington.

Look at us Now!

I am always amazed that people with the opportunity to educate themselves repeat balderdash such as the mantras handed out by the Party in Disgrace, the Republicans, about who wants small government and who wants to raise taxes.

It’s all poppycock and BS.

A conservative in an individual who likes the middle of the road, is uncomfortable with change, even change for the better. This definition does not apply to most Republicans many of whom are lock-step marching automatons wearing the Party Banner over their eyes and ears.

The best definition I ever read of a Liberal, is one by Bertrand Russell;

'A liberal is an individuals who when presented with empirical evidence contrary to the evidence upon which he/she arrived at their original conclusion, has both the intellectual capacity and character to…Change their position.'

The narrow minded mantra believer is threatened by this flexibility and reacts against it by name calling and derision all the while fearing an outcome they cannot conceive.

I go with Bertrand, the mathematical genius, philosopher, war protestor, and general Renaissance Man .

Don’t like BS and spoon-fed mantra; give me evidence.

Jim D

Answer 8

Basic short answer, Conservative -- old fashioned morals
very moderate living styles, the slow-laid back lane of life,
Morally judgemental with high moral standards and respect
for life.

Liberal, exactly opposite of the above description.

Republicans and Democrats subscribe to neither/both
as a group and individually, and either/both at any
given time could be used to describe either party.

Answer 9

I personally equate Conservatives as Reactionaries. Reactionaries can be described as people whose ideas appear to be pro-working class, but actually contain ideals of capitalism, nationalism, fascism, and other ruling class features. This does not have to be confined to politics ; it could also be found in religion.
I think of Liberalism as being supportive of a free market, and of upholding individualistic rights in government, church, and social arenas.
It is more realistic, I think, to recognize that politicians become allied with a major party (Democrat or Republican in the USA) in order to get elected in their district. So, you can find liberal Republicans and Conservative Democrats, but the reality is that the Republican Party, itself, is Conservative, while the Democratic party is Liberal in their fundamental ideals.
Good Luck !

Answer 10

Use the dictionary definition for both words aand you can't go wrong. Also, all thought, political and personal has degrees. The right wing talk show nitwits attempt to convince people that their 'liberal' strawman enemy is a real critter. It ain't. Also, the current GOP isn't 'conservative', particularly the entire Bush Junta....these guys are reactionaries.