Moderator removed post
View all comments
Well I don’t believe I’m a conservative, but relative too most people on Reddit apparently I am
I want to try and explain why I believe most people have or starting too lean more conservative
I do my best to avoid writing a novel, but this issue is nuanced and requires some detail
I think the biggest issue when it comes too division of Americans through politics is our strong inclination to associate politics with identity…
I think this is an inaccurate way to view liberalism and conservatism
At the core what are these concepts?
I would argue they are essentially general ways a society or individual solves problems. I think this is a reasonable basic explanation behind the goal of each persecutive.
Of course, what is different is the approach to solve the problem. They are tools that are used most effectively in the context of the problem you’re trying to solve.
They are not religions that we kneel at the altar of and swear fealty too
Liberalism simply put is liberty
Liberty simply put is freedom
Conservatism simply put is conservation
Conservation simply put is to preserve or protect (which is inherently restrictive because restrictions are required to protect something)
They are both valuable perspectives or tools to use based on the context of the situation
One is not lesser than the other. You simply need to identify which approach best applies too the problem you want to solve
So why or how did these perspectives come into existence in the first place?
I believe they stem from the root of how humans have approached survival based on the context of their environment
The most basic way to refer to this is an abundance or scarcity mind set
I’m sure it’s obvious, but liberalism would be associated to an abundance mind set, while conservatism is associated to a scarcity mindset.
Throughout human history we humans have cycled between these states of mind depending on the the context of our environment
With abundance comes the freedom to pursue
With scarcity requires the need to conserve
Think about a crop harvest.
If you have a good crop harvest then you have more than you need. Therefore you can afford to do what you want rather than focus on gathering or growing more food.
If you have a poor crop harvest then you need to conserve and ration what you have and spend more time gathering/growing what you need too survive. A community is forced too apply restrictions so they those people have enough food. Everyone cannot have the freedom too eat or do whatever they want because their basic survival needs are not met and doing so will also impact the survival of their community not just themselves.
I’m well aware that America is an affluent country who has developed far beyond this basic example. But, I think it provides a simple example of what has shaped humans perspectives as this was the case for most of human history in a basic sense. Therefore this cycle of abundance and scarcity has help shaped humans into what they are.
This brings me too, I think, the most important point I’m trying to make (forgive the caps but I want to emphasis this):
EVERYONE WANTS TOO BE LIBERAL
Because that means you have the luxury of abundance
However
SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE FORCED TOO BE CONSERVATIVE
Because our environment forced us too through scarcity
Everyone wants abundance and no one wants scarcity
One of the biggest problems I have with modern American liberals is that they think they’re better or superior too conservatives
That they have the better perspective, who care more, want good things for others, and that they are better people
Without ever considering that their environment or abundance gives them the luxury too do so
Often on the backs and shoulders of others and those that came before. Thinking that voting for good things, because we have the luxury too, somehow makes them a good person.
At a certain point is goes too far and we over extend ourselves beyond our liberal means. We then have to constrict and reevaluate what we need to conserve.
I hate too drag this comment on even more, but I want too be as clear as possible.
You can even apply this concept too an injury. Let’s say you over estimate your strength, over extend yourself, and injure your leg. Because you were too liberal with your body movement. The pain and lack of mobility force you to conserve and protect your muscles so they have time too heal. If you did not, then adopt a conservative mindset about your leg use, then it would not heal and potentially cause you life long problems. Never again able to be as liberal with your mobility as you were before.
America is in a similar state. We have over extended ourselves
The approximate 34 trillion in debt is the most significant example of this and the only example I really need to use.
America can’t save the world and America doesn’t owe the world anything. Even though liberals feel good pretending like they are.
And this is why more and more people are becoming conservative. Out of necessity. Not because we want too “or have conservative values”. It sounds so stupid. Your values are afforded too you based on your environmental situation.
So if you think your a “good person” cause you have “liberal values” it’s because America has allowed you the luxury of that belief.
Again, America has over extended. It’s time too reel it in liberals so that America can heal from the damages. Or, we may never be able to get back to the quality of country we want. And you will no longer be able too pretend you’re a good person.
So essentially: We can’t all have our cake (which comes in many layers flavors & toppigs) and eat it too. In a way, all of us are liberal about certain things and conservative in others. The battle is in the balance.
I really like your response on this question 🏆