Why do people feel they have to label one another Liberal and Concervative? Isn't there a middle gorund?

Question

I totally corrected the spelling but it didn't take. Sorry!

I understand there is a moderate - but why the need to label someone to the extremes?

Answer 1

I don't really see it as being linear, where people are on one end or the other. As others here suggested, you can take the "liberal" stance on certain issues and the "conservative" stance on others, while still being internally consistent. For example, a typical libertarian would appear liberal on social issues but conservative on the economy because they believe in a hands-off government either way. Those things change over time, too - the current administration's foreign policy is anything but conservative in the classic sense.

The platforms of our two parties in the US and their leading candidates often seem inconsistent because they really just pick and choose a mix of positions that will get them elected. Luckily though, there is still room here for you to choose your own ground and make your voice heard, but the 2-party machine can certainly be frustrating.

Answer 2

Um, shouldn't this be in the government section? Anyway, "labels" such as liberal or conservative simply denote different ways of believing or thinking about the same subject. Some (liberals) want a free-for-all with no rules, constraints, or traditions to bind us together, along with an insatiable lust for power. Conservatives, on the other hand, reject all that the liberals believe and embrace and with good reason. Those in the middle of the road (moderates) simply believe that before one makes a decision that all points of view be heard first. This presents special difficulties when one considers the nature of the people being asked for their opoinions- whackos, nutjobs, the chronically stupid, etc. The moderates, while maintaining their "middle-of-the-road" position are usually the ones to get run over first by the other two, sadly. These labels can pertain to any area such as politics, religion, society, etc.

Answer 3

Yes, the term for the middle ground is Centrist.

There are extremist conservatives, extremist liberals, and some say extremist centrists.

Many politcians will drive to the middle in hopes of attracting more votes. The middle way, by many, is often viewed as the safest way.

Answer 4

Actually, I wonder why people who aren't really conservative call themselves that. Conservatism would require: adherence to established constitutional law... but the pseudo conservatives see nothing wrong with a one party government, an imperial presidency and the trashing of the bill of rights and the declaration of a religious nation in the face of the founders' clear desire to separate these influences from one another... They also support economic policies based on indebtedness, and the destruction of the nature rather than conservation.

Yet they puff their fat cigars, phone up for hookers and declare themselves true believers... in WHAT?

Answer 5

Yes, because they have become titles, just like religion, people can call themselves anything anymore, and not really be that person, people call themselves Christian, and have not been saved, because they have not asked Jesus Christ into their lives or been forgiven of their sins, so someone can call themselves a Liberal and want to raise taxes, or cut healthcare, or a conservative and permit abortion, and have liberal views, there is no black and white, only gray areas, and anymore it seems it is hard to find someone in politics who actually cares about the countries needs and not their power and money.

Answer 6

You're right. There are actually lots of middle grounds, and there are even areas way out there, like anarchists and communists. But people are lazy and don't want to have to think so hard or explain themselves so much. And, then there are people who really believe all the stereotypes.

Answer 7

No middle ground except for play actors seeking votes.

Liberals sit on a fence, lick their finger and stick it in the air to see which way the wind is blowing. Their opinions are what they think people want to hear.

Answer 8

Liberals and conservatives are two DIFFERENT philosophies. There can be no rational 'middle ground' between them. Either you believe that people can govern themselves, OR ou believe that government knows best.

Where's the middle ground?

Answer 9

Most people ARE middle-ground. There are very few radicals on either side. However, the media doesn't get much attention by publishing articles and editorials about middle-grounders. So they purport the polarization to create controversy.

Answer 10

There is and they are the people who usually decide the elections. You can present most liberals or conservatives with factual opposing information and they won't budge. Thank God for those in the middle.