general Liberal or Conservative?

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

I know people would laugh at me or even facehoof themselves for this, but what's the difference between a liberal and a conservative?

[TeeSix 116]

I know people would laugh at me or even facehoof themselves for this, but what's the difference between a liberal and a conservative

 

Well, the simplest explanation is that Conservatives generally believe in keeping things as they are, hence their moniker originating from "conserve". Liberals generally believe that many things about human society need to change, hence their original moniker of "progressives".

 

That's the incredibly simple way of explaining it which is by no means 100% accurate, but it's the most basic definition. If you were to look at the United States, the Republican Party is conservative largely, and the Democratic Party largely liberal. Most democracies that are actually functional typically have parties that are a little liberal or a little conservative in their approach to things, and control alternates between them depending on the state of the nation more often than not.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

Well, the simplest explanation is that Conservatives generally believe in keeping things as they are, hence their moniker originating from "conserve". Liberals generally believe that many things about human society need to change, hence their original moniker of "progressives".

 

That's the incredibly simple way of explaining it which is by no means 100% accurate, but it's the most basic definition. If you were to look at the United States, the Republican Party is conservative largely, and the Democratic Party largely liberal. Most democracies that are actually functional typically have parties that are a little liberal or a little conservative in their approach to things, and control alternates between them depending on the state of the nation more often than not.

Oh, okay, thanks. In that case, I guess I'm liberal.

[TeeSix 116]

Oh, okay, thanks. In that case, I guess I'm liberal.

 

It's an extremely complex and intertwined system that probably only political scientists would be capable of fully understanding, but that's the very basic gist of things. I largely prefer to avoid talking politics to most people, because I don't like pointlessly building a political wall between me and them over simple beliefs. Often enough politics cause more arguments between people than not.

 

I come from a country where people are generally not very politicised and live in a country where political apathy is pretty high, so I'm lucky in being able to avoid it, but from what I hear these days the U.S.A. is becoming ever more polarised over political position.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

I'm just basing my side on the fact that I like progressiveness.

[Aladdin Mane 17]

Neither because they're both just simplistic single-word labels invented to cater to the lowest common denominator of politics and perpetuate a meaningless and ultimately destructive Us-VS-Them divisive mentality that forever plagues this nation's power structure, and I would rather have individual and various beliefs and views that can be articulated and changed as experience dictates rather than just checking off one or another predefined set of predetermined positions wrapped up in a tidy box of premade shape.

But for the purposes of the question given, whichever side would be more likely to completely abolish the political party system (see the whole "perpetuate a meaningless and ultimately destructive Us-VS-Them divisive mentality" spiel above) is probably more my speed.

Edited January 15, 2016 by Aladdin Mane

[CT-1138 3,182]

I know people would laugh at me or even facehoof themselves for this, but what's the difference between a liberal and a conservative?

Here is a good idea of how the two differ on most issues: 

[Oblivion 20,266]

I define myself as a libertarian. I am for small government and wish that the feds would stay out of state affairs. I believe that our government here in the U.S. is way overreaching and is certainly infringing upon peoples rights as it is. You need a license to do pert near ANYTHING, we are taxed a stupid amount of even the basics, hell we are bucking taxed just to start up a as business you must pay something called an "Self Employment Tax" which to me that notion is purely absurd in every way imaginable, a tax, a REGULATION put forth by government? I guess they would all prefer us to be on some sort of government aid vs actually reaching out and striving to be the best that they can be? They would rather us all be dependent on them, and if we're not? Guesss whaaat? Give us your hard earned money that you DARE reach for the stars on your own accord. I believe that in my heart of hearts people should do and say what they want, without government intervention, Which includes....

 

1. Property tax. Think about it, if you refuse to pay property tax what happens? Well, you can, and will get evicted from your own land, if you refuse, you will have armed men show up in uniform and REMOVE you from your land with as much force deemed necessary.

 

2. Tax to simply own and operate a business. Again, don't pay it, oh, you want to actually not be a waste of flesh and do something useful with your life and give your self one of the strongest senses of self independence possible? Whoops, gotta pay big brother before you can do that, sorry!

 

3. Bureaucracy's, government ran organizations bent on making your life hell, most notably the IRS but also the FDA, ATF any agency that works to put a damper on YOUR FREEDOM.

 

Hmm, I guess I should of merged one and two together because they are so largely connected to each other, but you guys do get the gist? I know, what saddens me is that now days people find such views as mine crazy, and people like me "Tin foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists". Really though, what is so crazy about wanting so much freedom? People have became so so desensitized to one power having such massive control over their lives it's actually quite shocking, so to some it up, this is why I am for the freedom party....take it for what you will I suppose. It just baffles me how anyone that's not in the centralized circle of power could want anything less than absolute freedom? 

I would think most (not all) bronies would be liberal, or else they are neutral (or don't care). The brony movement itself is very liberal and would support this argument.

 

From the stories I've shared with fellow bronies, most liberal parents largely supported or at least accepted bronies, while conservative parents largely were against bronies. It makes sense, grown men liking ponies isn't exactly "traditional".

 

Although it's hardly a scientific theory, from what I've seen of this topic, i'm not wrong.

 

I am liberal by the way, although if I see a conservative view I'd rather support (however rare), I won't hesitate to do so.

Or a libertarian like me that just figures it's a show so who cares.

[PinkieatHeart 208]

I don't really put myself in any political position. People say I'm very liberal, but when I looked up the definition of being liberal, it didn't seem very much like me, so I don't know... but eh, who cares. I prefer to make my own decisions on each specific political topic anyway.

[Shanks 10,816]

Here is a good idea of how the two differ on most issues: 

That linear political spectrum is horribly flawed because it dosen't take into account the vast amount of political ideologies like libertarianism which do not fall neatly onto one or the other. These are called "radical middle" ideologies. This chart pictured below is a bit more accurate.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_centrism

 

Edited January 18, 2016 by Shanks

[Drunk Not I Am 1,070]

I'm a moderate Conservative 

[Blizzard Wizard 4,968]

I guess I'm very balanced from this view point. My single credo is rationalism.

[Mr Underhill 219]

Because life itself is neither black nor white, I believe that condensing political views into two sides is ludicrous.

 

I am against big government and huge "to big to fail" corporations who beg for bail-outs and then turn record profits.

I am for equal HUMAN rights. against organized religion imposing their beliefs/laws on anyone.

More to say, but not enough time at the moment...

[Midnight Seeker 302]

I kind of hate that Americans keep asking that question. Politics is a highly complicated thing with a massive scale of ideology an parties that have widely different ways of looking at things. The Republican and Democrat have very little differences. Aye, certain key members and loud fanatics get more attention, but it's the quiet ones that mostly make up the membership.

And I am a member of a small but growing party called Solidarity Scotland. We are socialists who desire Scottish independence.

[That Guy with the CMB 5,873]

Neither because they're both just simplistic single-word labels invented to cater to the lowest common denominator of politics and perpetuate a meaningless and ultimately destructive Us-VS-Them divisive mentality that forever plagues this nation's power structure, and I would rather have individual and various beliefs and views that can be articulated and changed as experience dictates rather than just checking off one or another predefined set of predetermined positions wrapped up in a tidy box of premade shape.

 

But for the purposes of the question given, whichever side would be more likely to completely abolish the political party system (see the whole "perpetuate a meaningless and ultimately destructive Us-VS-Them divisive mentality" spiel above) is probably more my speed.

Yes. Just yes. Oh my gosh, thank you.

[Concerned Bystander 2,902]

I couldn't place myself accurately into either category, I'm more of a 'some from column A, some from column B' kind of guy.  I tend to cherry-pick my views based on the topic in question rather than buying the whole package.

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

Basically what Aladdin Mane said above.

 

As a registered independent who's disgruntled with the two-party system, I'd just say my opinions vary. I'm liberal on a few things but I lean more conservative on others. I don't concern myself with anything from the lying, deceitful mainstream news media. I think the alternative news sources are far more trustworthy.

[Carl Poppa 464]

As a bisexual atheist... you can probably imagine conservatives and I don't get along.  Most of my views fall under democratic socialism.  I honestly don't get why so many people think that helping one another survive and not discriminating against others are BAD things.

[man dude man 555]

fiscally conservative, ideologically liberal.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Krookodile

[ARagY 1,152]

Liberal..I guess

 

I take things from both groups but ultimately I'd rather not call myself either. I recognise a majority of criminal problems as the result of years and years of miseducation, poor city economies, cultural/social problems, etc. but at the same time I don't quite understand why people knowingly make their situation worse, like having 10 children when they can't feed themselves alone. 

[Metro Whiz 1]

Hard centrist (if that counts)

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

I'm more of a liberal; personally, though that is a bit too general in itself. I'm for a strong central government that can help when it can. Granted I know government isn't perfect, but I don't consider it the enemy.

[deletedaccount2 203]

https://www.politicalcompass.org/chart?ec=-6.75&soc=-5.9

 

I'll just let the chart speak for itself.

[Limeblossom 482]

I am extremely liberal and left wing on practically all my opinions. I'm fiscally liberal and socially liberal.

It's ironic because I was extremely Republican and a fervent supporter of George W. Bush. But then I went to college and things changed.

I majored in Mass Media, both focusing on production and theory/politics of Mass Media and what I learned pushed me to become a bit on the extreme left.

My brother (who went to a different college; Gonzaga) was also a hard core republican. He came back a Communist after majoring in Political Science. Haha And he's doing quite well currently in his political career now. So watch out, world. lol

I'm not that extreme and rather identify as a socialist, but that's a bit off topic.

 

But yeah, college. It changed us from being very conservative to very liberal, despite being attending schools on opposite sides of the country.

We were anti-gay, anti-immigration, anti-tax increase. Anti-left, basically. We were Conservative to the max and on the extreme right.

Conservatives will go full TR-8R to you.

[Concerned Bystander 2,902]

I don't concern myself with anything from the lying, deceitful mainstream news media. I think the alternative news sources are far more trustworthy.

 

Just remember that every media outlet has their own agenda, no exceptions.  No single news source is trustworthy by itself, it's far more important to get your news from a variety of different sources, and to compare and contrast those sources in order to build a balanced picture for yourself.