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What does it mean to be a Conservative

Dcdrac said:
Please enlighten me.
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To conserve sociality, to protect it. It has an up and a downside, it can prevent radical changes that might damage society but too much of it will lead to stagnation.

However, a lot of people who call themselves conservatives aren't.
 
Strong military
Balanced budget
Tax cuts
Pro-life
Anti-socialist schools

Don't put up with liberals. :)
 
A "conservative" is one who wants to "conserve" something, usually tradition. He is not likely to accept radical changes, adopting a more cautious approach. The exception might be to return to a previous era. Someone who wanted to reinstitute prayer in schools would be considered conservative even though the change is a radical one, because it takes us back to a traditional time period.
 
Meadmaker said:
A "conservative" is one who wants to "conserve" something, usually tradition. He is not likely to accept radical changes, adopting a more cautious approach. The exception might be to return to a previous era. Someone who wanted to reinstitute prayer in schools would be considered conservative even though the change is a radical one, because it takes us back to a traditional time period.
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And a democrat is one who wants democracy?:confused:
 
Is this the U.S. definition or the U.K., or another?

It just dawned on me that I have no idea what it means east of the pond any more. It used to mean authoritarian, free market capitalism, but that's New Labour, which is why I'm increasingly tempted to join the Taliban, who at least have respect for traditional values, like chopping the heads off their opponents.
 
New Ager said:
Strong military
Balanced budget
Tax cuts
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I have seen professional jugglers handle three balls, but I have never seen a professional politican juggle these three items without dropping at least one.
 
New Ager said:
Strong military
Balanced budget
Tax cuts
Pro-life
Anti-socialist schools

Don't put up with liberals. :)
Click to expand...

They are generally strong military because its a traditional institution, and it protects America (or some other homeland), which is a good thing.

They are generally against government programs, because new government programs generally mean change, social engineering, etc. That tends to lead to lip service for balanced budgets, but the last conservative who achieved one was Herbert Hoover. Their dislike of social programs does tend to make them anti-tax cuts.

Pro-life is definitely traditional. I don't know about "socialist" schools, but they definitely want traditional education, just like traditional everything else.
 
Meadmaker said:
They are generally against government programs, because new government programs generally mean change, social engineering, etc.
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The last five years have shown us that conservatives have nothing against government programs or social engineering.
 
Soapy Sam said:
Is this the U.S. definition or the U.K., or another?

It just dawned on me that I have no idea what it means east of the pond any more. It used to mean authoritarian, free market capitalism, but that's New Labour, which is why I'm increasingly tempted to join the Taliban, who at least have respect for traditional values, like chopping the heads off their opponents.
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on our side of the pond conservatism has always been defined as "what the Tory party does". Hard and fast political labels don't stand up to much scrutiny in the real world.
 
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