Is Classical Liberalism Modern Conservatism?
This is true Classical Liberalism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_liberalism
It seems like Modern Conservatives seem to stand for most the those things; free trade, small or limited government, individual rights etc.
I’m talking about it being true modern conservatism, not the neo-cons like Bush and Cheney.
Absolutely, if you are discussing true Conservatism in the United States. It gets very confusing, in fact, to speak with Europeans about liberals and Conservatives, because Americans have somehow changed the terms around. The other side, though, is that FISCAL Conservatism is certainly classically liberal, while social or foreign policy Conservatism is not necessarily. President Reagan quoted classical liberal texts and thinkers in many of his key speeches.
I agree with your distinguishing of Conservatives, and the neo- whatever mess that has been created recently. Conservatives stand for decreasing government interference with the individual (not eliminating, and that’s an important distinction), leading to lower taxes AND lower spending. The neo-whatevers seem to enjoy lowering taxes while drastically increasing spending, and vastly expanding the role and power of government.
I’m not sure what you mean by "true modern conservatism", but if it’s the kind of conservatism I’m thinking of, I have to say that it is very similar to classical liberalism. The negate of classical liberalism is statism, which the modern liberals and neoconservatives seem to embrace.
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Absolutely, if you are discussing true Conservatism in the United States. It gets very confusing, in fact, to speak with Europeans about liberals and Conservatives, because Americans have somehow changed the terms around. The other side, though, is that FISCAL Conservatism is certainly classically liberal, while social or foreign policy Conservatism is not necessarily. President Reagan quoted classical liberal texts and thinkers in many of his key speeches.
I agree with your distinguishing of Conservatives, and the neo- whatever mess that has been created recently. Conservatives stand for decreasing government interference with the individual (not eliminating, and that’s an important distinction), leading to lower taxes AND lower spending. The neo-whatevers seem to enjoy lowering taxes while drastically increasing spending, and vastly expanding the role and power of government.
References :
You are close , Since the 1930’s the Liberals have moved more to the left while the Conservatives have moved more to the right that makes a Roosevelt or John F Kennedy Democrat on the right of his party and a Goldwater or Rockefeller Republican is on the left wing of the GOP. I don’t believe that Cheney or Bush are neo-cons they moderate conservatives who believe in a strong central government.
I think that the old terms of Liberal and Conservative no longer fit in today’s world like they did even just 20 years ago. I view Reagan as the last true Conservative there have been non in the presidency since.
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