• Nougat
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      6 months ago

      When I was growing up, the difference between the American left and right was understood like this (at least by me):

      • Left: We’re all in this together, and we should work together to make sure everyone is okay
      • Right: Rugged individualism and healthy competition
      • And the push-pull between those two made for a good balance

      In my adult life, I am aware that that was never really true. The American Right has always wanted to restrict individual liberties, and implement a caste system, going all the way back to 1776.

    • @[email protected]
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      76 months ago

      The rational definition of conservatism is the maintaining of the status quo. No radical change. Don’t rock the boat.

      As a political philosophy, it’s boring. It’s safe. Just keep things the way they are.

      If the way things are is cruel and unjust, then what is it to fight to maintain that state of things?

      Outside of a utopia, “keep things as they are” is unlikely to be the highest of moral grounds.

    • @[email protected]
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      46 months ago

      fascism is a reactionary position against radical change and conservativism is a strain of that