(Capitolo 2-Italian)
The inherent vice of Capitalism is the unequal sharing of the Blessings.
The inherent blessing of Socialism is the equal sharing of its Misery Winston Churchill.
LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE ISMS COMPARED You and I need to have a common understanding of these two concepts before we can really have a discussion. I will attempt to avoid the traditional cliché. As I thought about this important project it came clear we have to keep it simple. The subject is huge. We could easily get lost in the tangents. The main sign posts tell us to keep focused on political form. By this I mean, we must not get off on the merits of such things as racial tolerance, but stay on the track of political structure. Moreover, let us focus on liberals and Conservatives in the United States.
If we try to incorporate politics of Britain or Iran, we will lose our way. Liberalism and Conservatism are the same everywhere, but the local flavor changes the discourse.
Now in the United States Conservatism and Liberalism have different outlooks on the law. Conservatives want a strong written law and they begin with the Constitution. They want the judges and legislators to abide by the law as it has been set down. Liberals want a flexible law that can be moved about more easily. For example the Constitution spells out how it can be amended. Liberals want Judges and legislators to amend it.
To them it is faster and more certain. After all a Constitutional amendment requires a 2/3
vote. Conservatives love the concepts set up in the Constitution. They absolutely believe in the fallibility of their neighbor and others, and do not want them to be able to change the law easily. They want it slow and deliberate. They fear centralization of power.
Liberals do not and do not care for the checks and balances set up in the Constitution.
I liken these differences, to the design of a gas motor.
When engineers design a gas motor they have to consider a series of checks and balances.
For example if the motor is to be dependable and last a long time, the tolerances, the compression ratio, the intake of fuel, the oil distribution system must be designed with a lot of checks and balances. If the design is for power there are other considerations. If it is for speed then, again the engineers will design it with less checks and balances.
Conservatives want the motor to last a long time with just enough power to do the job.
Liberals tend to want speed and power. Any motor designed for a lot of power or speed has built into the design its own early self-destruction.
Compromises have had to be made to get to the outer limits. It is the law of nature. So it is with Socialism.
Conservatives and Liberals have very different conclusions about what motivates and moves their fellow human beings. Liberals are much more trusting of their fellows than are Conservatives. It is a marked difference. It underlies their differences in the use of the power of government. In short, it is a common sense difference.
Just looking at the collection of power we see marked strata between the two.
Conservatives distrust power when it is human controlled. They believe it will be abused.
Liberals are much more tolerant of powers use and feel that it will be used for the better and not the worse. In this context, I point out a strange comparison. Conservatives do not like dictators, kings, or power brokers in Politics, Unions or Gangs. Liberals do not see the danger, if any. They tend to adoration, such as ―Camelot‖ with the Kennedy family, the willingness to allow FDR to seek a 4th term. Their flocking to the silver tongue of President Obama. It is as if the liberal is willing to turn over the travails of life to someone else in exchange for security. The Conservative distrust prevents a wiliness to become subjected to the whims of others. In this context then, the Liberal prefers a more flexible and movable government, and the Conservative wants one that moves very slowly and with difficulty.
Liberals believe in Democracy. Conservatives do not.
The latter believe in a representative democracy where the people do not make the decisions, but their elected representatives do. This is a check against wild emotional swings. Clearly the difference is based on trust. Liberals trust one for all and all for one, and Conservatives do not. People are too susceptible to emotion and too often it cripples their clear thinking. Democracy can be too fast. Conservatives want more deliberation and debate.
So far I have used the word Liberal, but I fear it is too broad. In these times being a Liberal has lost definition.
Conservative has pretty much stayed the course. I now want to use the word Leftist.
Other writers have called them Statists, Socialist, or Communists. These are variations on the same theme. Leftist are people who want one government, world government, one justice system etc. They do not want the delay that debate provides. In fact they do not want debate. They are so convinced they are correct that any opposing view should be covered up like a cat finishing its morning constitutional. I once had a jass show on a Public University FM station for some 16 years. I was in the eye of the storm. The station was used as a Leftist gathering and information center. It was S.A.D. to see so many people unwilling to debate. Being unwilling to debate simply means you no longer want to think about the issue. It is settled.
Another aspect of the definition of Liberal and Conservative revolves around their job choices. For example, Conservatives tend to select civilian solo type jobs and tough jobs like the Military. In the Military they are the preferred volunteer. By this I mean, a job where they have flexibility to go their own way. This is why so many private companies are created by and headed up by Conservatives. In the construction world it is hard to find a Leftist. Leftist are less independent and seek to join a group. For example, they like teaching, governmental jobs, or in the civil world joining up with large companies which function much like a governmental agency.
Let‘s look at choices between independent enterprise and governmental control. The Conservative wants freedom in enterprise. That is why they call it Free Enterprise.
Liberals find such freedom worrisome. They prefer governmental control.
They believe a level playing field is more fair and easier to live with. They do not like surprises. A good example would be the current health take over by President Obama and the Socialist Pelosi and Reid (Both have admitted it at one time or another.) Religion or the lack there of is another good example. Leftist are generally against classic religion.
This is so because they adamantly believe in Darwin‘s Theory (notice I say theory) of evolution. Believing in God and evolution at the same time is tough on the mindset. Here I am talking about those who think about politics and there are many who never go there.
I am certain you know of many who attend church simply because it is a thing to do and an opportunity to say hello to neighbors. They may be liberal or Conservative, but they are not really thinking about it. Most Conservatives believe in God. They may believe in evolution as well, but they do not consider they are inconsistent. Any rational human being, who has ever faced death---looked it in the eye and came through to live again, believes in God. Why? Because in such a terrible time you need strength from without your puny frame, and God fills that need. Conservatives generally are not picky in which God. It is more of an acceptance of faith. A Leftist simply does not go there. Keep in mind in all of this discussion there are many exceptions. We are talking general overviews. A Leftist absolute acceptance that central power is benevolent is evidence of blind faith. It is akin to Classic Religion. In fact secularism is a faith which is threatened by an outer world God.
Family worship. Here the Leftist is weak. It is because of their tattered belief in a God and the necessary life-controls, a religion provides. Not to steal, not to take another‘s spouse, etc.
A family obligation means no free love. Why? Because trust and faithfulness are a major part of family and their lack means family deterioration. The Leftist is content to have the life controls come from them and their followers through governmental (societal) controls. The Conservative would rather have such life guideline coming from an overlying religious belief because it allows more freedom. The Conservative finds family much more important than Government.
In the arena of human motivation Conservatives and Leftist are starkly different.
Conservatives believe all humans have to be motivated to take care of themselves. Leftist do not.
Finally I want to talk about stealing. It should make no difference to you whether a man with a weapon takes your cash, or whether a man with a law does the same thing.
Conservatives get upset when a legislator passes a law to take more than is necessary for the common defense and the common necessities of communal living. Leftist do not have such an aversion.