Definitions

Seven of Nine · **Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:13 am Definitions**

What are your definitions for words such as liberal, conservative, etc.? Post them, and then post whether you agree with them or not, with reasons.

I think this topic would be useful, so I know what on earth some of you are going on about. PLEASE DON'T JUST POST DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS! I want a personal response.

These are mine:
Conservative- Someone who is either a member of the Conservative Party in the UK (who are also known as Tories) or someone who has traditional values, and is resistant to change. Although some traditions are good, I feel that in this day and age, a lot needs changing, and should be changed proactively.

Liberal- Someone who believes that traditions aren't always the best thing, who feels that change is necessary in many cases. Also, not being too strict. Liberals are often more tolerant to new ideas and other opinions, even if they do not agree with them. They also are more in favour of freedom of speech, and freedom to live their own lives as they see fit, to a certain extent. This is the catergory I fall in. I believe that everyone has a right to an opinion, and that they have a right to have a different opinion to yours. (That doesn't mean I won't argue with you

). I also believe that some traditions need to be gotten rid of, or changed, such as the Death Penalty.

Socialism- A system of collecting goods or money into a central pot to be distrubuted equally. Basically, I'm not an extreme socialist. I believe that although some money should be collected (mainly in the form of taxes) to help equalise society, people should be able to keep most of the money they earn. I also believe that those who have more money should pay more tax, to help to equalise society.

Democrat- Someone who speaks out in favour of democracy. Well, since I agree to democracy, and I'll speak out in favour of it, I'm a democrat.

Republican- Someone who thinks that a republic is the best form of government. I'm not a republican, although I do believe it's the best form of government for most countries, for mine (England, United Kingdom) I'm a Monachist

Monarchist- Someone who believes that a monarchy is the best form of government. For our country, I think we've got the right balance. We've got a monarch, who is a figurehead, who helps bring in tourism, who is also a great diplomat. She can think in terms of longer than five years, and is a failsafe in case the whole government goes crazy. However, our government is a democracy, and they make all the laws. The monarch just signs them.

Republican_Man · **Tue Jul 20, 2004 11:55 am**

Seven of Nine · **Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:50 pm**

Please, someone tell me the difference between the two parties... I can manage British politics fine, but American politics is a bit harder for me to understand (probably because I don't live there).

Republican_Man · **Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:49 pm**

Pah-Wraith · **Tue Jul 20, 2004 11:08 pm**

Conservative- Either someone who is either a member of the Conservative Party in Britain or someone who has Old-Fashioned or traditionalist beliefs. This can be a good thing, However occassionally Conservatives can be so Traditionalist that theyturn to the Extreme Right Wing (Fascism).

Liberal- Someone who lies Centre of Left and Right in Politics and can often just swing to either side in whatever situation is best for them. Liberals often are relaxed when it comes to Equality for people and they are normally supportive in People's Causes for Equality- which IMO is a good thing.

Socialism- A System in which the Classes are abolished and everyone is supposed to have an Equal opportunity in life and equal status. Socialists tend to be Pro-Trade Unions, However it can often be influenced by Communist or Extreme left Ideals- and often can lead to support for Secularism which is a Bad thing IMO.

Democrat- Someone who is Pro-Democracy.

Republican- Someone who thinks that a Republic would be the best form of government. I agree that in the UK, the Monarchy should be removed.

Monarchist- Someone who supports having a Monarchy i.e King or Queen and Royal Family. I am opposed to the Monarchy.

Fascist- Ideals caused by over-Traditionalism or a fear of Change, often because a group of people want to inflict a Single Point of View on a Plural society and are afraid that everything they know and love will change. Fascism contains elements of Ethnic Cleansing and Racial Supremacy- Like the Apartheid in South Africa and the BNP in the Uk. Often Fascists are against the Spread of Religions unknown to themselves.

Republican_Man · **Tue Jul 20, 2004 11:30 pm**

I disagree almost completely.

Puck · The Texan Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596

To be clear for those of yall who are not living in America, Republicans are conservative, and democrats are liberal. Neither sides name actually indicates favoring either a republic, or democracy. So if you here an American say they are Republican, think conservative. If you hear them say they are a Democrat, think liberal. I hope that clears some of it up for any foreigners.

Republican_Man · **Tue Jul 20, 2004 11:46 pm**

Pah-Wraith · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:09 am**

Republican_Man · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:28 am**

Seven of Nine · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:56 pm**

Um, yes it is. Hitler was extreme right.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
Read the first line

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_wing#Fascism_and_right-wing_politics
Explains it all.

Republican_Man · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:19 pm**

Seven of Nine · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:32 pm**

Hitler was anti-Communist. Are you saying Communists are right-wing now (and I mean he sent all the communists to the Death Camps, that was how against them he was).

Republican_Man · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:35 pm**

Seven of Nine · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:57 pm**

The big companies gained through Hitler... the economy was very right wing.

Republican_Man · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:58 pm**

Jeremy · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:27 pm**

Danni, you should admit you are wrong. Every history book you have read is wrong now. Thankyou for correcting us Republican_Man.

Hitler was a known Fascist. The extreme right wing might have different views in America now, but he was a right wing person.

Seven of Nine · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:29 pm**

Bah, 5 years of History lessons and a GCSE down the drain

Pah-Wraith · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 8:07 pm**

Republican_Man · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:40 pm**

LightningBoy · **Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:22 pm**

Lemmie clear this all up everything i'm about to say id PURE FACT, trust me, i'm being as fair and balanced as I can, trying to look at some honest, IMHO, liberals (Lieberman, Gephardt) and conservatives (Bush, McCain) as examples:

Conservative: In favor of CONSERVING money. Beleive that people should do what they wish with their own money, and that the government should not spend it wastefully, nor tax its citizens heavily. They beleive that citizens should be allowed to rise and fall based on their own merits, and interfere minimally with the natural fiscal floor and ceiling. Typically in favor of small fiscal government.

Liberal: Beleives that money needs to be spent in order for progress to be made. In other words, they are LIBERAL about spreading their money around. They have no qualms taxing people if it is in favor of better social systems, or other government programs. They typically beleive that the government should at least try to keep the fiscal floor and ceiling close. Typically in favor of large fiscal government.

Socialist: Beleives that money should be no object. Beleives in an ideal society that exists where people work on the honor system to embetter society, and share in the spoild that come with. Socialism usually dosen't work since most people are too selfish to work for the embetterment of society. They beleive that the fiscal floor and ceiling should be virtually the same.

Communist: A Socialist who realises that people will not voluntarily work to embetter society, so they force them to, violently if nessessary.

Fascist: Someone who beleives that their opinion is the only one that should be allowed (liberal OR conservative).

Megalomaniac: Someone who beleives that they must controll the world completely to fix its problems.

Anarchist: Someone who believes that government influence should be non-existent.

Libertarian: Someone who beleives that the government should not interfere in the private affairs (Homosexuality, Drug Use, Gun Control) of the people. Typically small government in terms of civil issues.

Authoritarian: Someone who beleives that the private affairs involving morality of a nation should be upheld by the government. Typically big government in terms of civil issues.

Republican (U.S. Definition): A polition who is fiscally conservative [see:conservative], and is Libertarian in issues regarding freedom of speech and press, gun ownership, legal drug (alcohol and tobacco) use, the Death penalty, and local affairs. While they are usually Authoritarian on issues regarding sex, abortion, and illegal drug (marajuana, crack, ect..) use.

Democrat (U.S. Definition): A politition who is fiscally liberal [see:liberal], and is Libertarian in issues regarding freedom of assembly, sexual morality, media censorship, abortion, and immigration. While they are Authoritarian on issues regarding gun control, legal drug control, and the Death Penalty.

Republican_Man · **Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:38 pm**