In your opinion, is Conservatism a negative trait?

Question

It seems like it wants to hold on to the past, in this ever evolving world. Where new ideas are seen as a threat to old beliefs, as opposed to something great that could move mankind forward.

Your kind thoughts, please?

I am very intrigued by your answers, I wish you had written a little more.

Answer 1

Conservatism (noun) The inclination, esp in politics, to maintain the existing or traditional order. (The American Heritage Dictionary)
In other words, it is the tendency to resist change. Especially in POLITICS? but why? I thought that things change. Just recently, thousands of species have died, glaciers have collasped raising sea levels, new technologies have become publicized, the U.S. has engaged in war, etc. .. So, why, in "this ever evolving world" should we rule one another with obstinacy. That is ridiculous. Of course people don't like change, people don't want to go green or stand up for causes or impeach a president ans so on. People who live comfortably, people who have much to lose fear change; only when the risk seems small will people nationally and globally advocate change.

Conservatism is the maintenance of ancient traditions. Often these traditions are meaningless rituals, or great exaggerations of what is found in the "holy" books. I am not hostile to religion that doesn't interefere with politics, the way the world at large is run, and peoples' abilities to survive. But religion, a fundamental building block of the concept of conservatism, has rarely done good things, and only good.

This is a type of question in which one must draw upon the many concrete examples of the downside of conservatism. Cheney, in February 2007, stated that he thought the debates over whether global warming is due to human activity would soon become heated. Almost all scientists agree about the issue. The conservative/religious idealogies of the Bush administration have lead to Bush turning down a number of global warming deals/plans with other nations.

Aside from the extreme examples, conservatism simply stands for the incongruity between advances of a nation and the laws that govern the same nation. Why not synergy for an effective, healthy nation? Honestly, conservatism seems a childish attitude.

Answer 2

No, not necessarily. It all depends on WHY a person wants to hold on to "the way things were." If they truly believe it's the best idea (and they have some valid reasons backing them up), then conservatism is a very beneficial viewpoint.

On the other hand, if the reason they don't want change is simply because they're afraid of it or because they are personally benefiting from "the old ways" more than they would if things were changed, then that is not healthy - for themselves, but also more importantly for society.

Answer 3

No. My form of conservatism is based on the fact that certain values are timeless, regardless of how the world might change. Change is partly a question of perception, it has negative and positive implications for different people. Change under the euphemism "progress" is not always a good thing, especially when adapting requires us to give up values that have made America possible. These include capitalism and the traditional family and the relationship between religion and education.

Some old values are outdated and negative (like slavery, or repression of women). But I see no evidence that many new values are going to move us forward.

I'd like a liberal to explain specifically just how the world is evolving. What does that mean? Are those who oppose all changes you like holding back progress? Liberal policies have made more of us dependent on the govt, and have helped destroy the traditional family, replacing parents with a "nanny state".

Secularization of society has had many ill consequences. We now encourage people to believe and do what they please without regard for the culture that made their freedom and prosperity possible. Liberalism has championed moral relativism. How is this progress?

.

Answer 4

Inherantly, no. Caution is a good thing, and the older conservatives, circa Goldwater did this pretty well. Then you had others that were also conservatives like George Wallace who were also afraid of racial change and essentially were racists. Today's conservatism seems to be more about profit and religion than actual social value.

Complete libralism also, is dangerous if unchecked, but I personally prefer a more adaptive, open approach to societal existance.

Answer 5

Yes, but for every good idea, there are way too many horrible ones. Conservatism sticks with that which is KNOWN to work. Consider: if Liberals come up with a new and 'better' way of raising your kids, and requires EVERYONE to obey, what happens in 20 or 40 years, when the entire population is screwed up on drugs and self-centeredness? Who will be left to carry humanity forward if there is no 'safety' group to pick up the pieces?

Answer 6

yes it would seem negative to me to hold a belief over a new idea with a proven result to move mankind in a different direction (possibly forward)..I just wonder why some beliefs are held so close to the heart, when we have seen how they turn man against man and man against earth..

Answer 7

Yes I agree to a point. I wish to see the world leave behind its war torn past and enter a new eon of peace and technology. however, there are things that I would be sad to leave behind. Its like a child with its teddy bear, as it is young they need the bear but as they grow they dump it, and more often than not, feel some regret at having betrayed the bear. So why not strap the bear to your back, keeping it behind you but never directly looking at it while moving on?

Answer 8

it always depends - how conservative?
The only way to stay on top of the present is to not be so stuck to the past, and to not live in the future.
balance.
in general i think extrememe conservatism is negative (but to me extremely conservative means believing even a little of the bible, and using it in today's world)

Answer 9

I think it is a positive trait. changing everything at all costs is not a good thing IMO. conservatism is a slower way forward- maybe. But far safer and less prone to wasteful fashions

Answer 10

With a progressive point of view you have to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water, but adaptive thinking is necessary in today's world. So, in short, no.