What factors decide whether someone will be a conservative or a liberal? Why not both?
First, let’s dispose of the ugliness that political movements have tried to attach to each word. Let’s look at how Merriam-Webster defines the terms.
Conservative has several meanings we aren’t interested in. It is the name of several political parties here and there around the world. It is one branch of Judaism. These are not the meanings we are dealing with here. The dictionary offers us these definitions that we’re interested in:
a tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional
b marked by moderation or caution <a conservative estimate>
c marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners
These are important values to uphold. Society breaks down when change comes too quickly. We are apt to abandon institutions or ways of behaving that are essential to the smooth operation of our culture.
Likewise, Liberal is the name of one or more political parties, a branch of studies called liberal arts, and generosity (giving liberally) It’s also been used as a term of derision and demonization by some conservatives bent on asserting their political ideas over all others. But like conservative, it is an inherently good and necessary way of thinking. The dictionary provides these definitions that we are interested in discussing here:
a marked by generosity : openhanded <a liberal giver>
b broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
Since the only constant in this physical Universe is change, a certain degree of liberalism is necessary to adapt to the constantly changing world around us. Even the world’s best buggy whip manufacturer of the 18th century would find little work in the 21st century.
Conservatism and liberalism should not be mutually exclusive one-track thought processes. To make sound decisions, a person needs a healthy measure of both philosophies. Those who cling only on one or the other way of thinking are sure to go astray in selecting policies that will work for the good of a nation. So how did we get stuck in America in seemingly armed camps each accusing the other of destroying all Americans hold dear? What makes someone so conservative or liberal they are incapable of seeing the value of both ways of thinking; and dedicate themselves to an extreme of one or the other alone?
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