Conservatives and Liberals

As the years have gone by I have seen a huge similarity on both sides of the generally accepted political scale in America. Both sides say the same thing, "Why do we need the other side?"

While in my younger days I agreed with this, I find myself following a new concept that I'm sure many have noticed before but that must be stressed. If politics is a scale, and liberals and conservatives are weights on each side, then what happens when one is removed? The entire system collapses onto itself in a mess of fallen weights, loud noises, and what will probably end up being $40 buying a replacement scale.

Unlike a scale, though, America hangs in the balance. I, for one, however, am not one to give ominous prophecies without a possible alternative. I have begun to view the political leanings less like opposite ends of a spectrum or a line, and more as the balancing stones they are.

What is Liberalism?

In basic terms, American liberalism can be described with a few basic ideals and traits. The biggest ideal is collectivism. This means working together as a group to accomplish goals, making decisions as a team, and celebrating as a group. Liberals in America also generally believe in second chances, that regardless of what someone has done to end up in a poor situation that they deserve help out of it. And finally liberals believe in challenging political, social, and scientific norms. All of these things together make the stereotypical liberal. For future examples, we'll call this stereotype Mr or Mrs Blue. Mr/Mrs.

What is Conservatism?

Like liberalism, conservatism can be described with equally basic terms. Conservatives idealize hard work and dedication, seeing both as extremely valuable assets. Hard work and dedication, in the minds of most conservatives, will get you out of any situation you're in. Conservatives are also traditional, that the ways things are is right because it's worked so far. While this is bashed a lot, I understand it. All humans are comfortable with what they know. There is also a huge value placed upon individualism but solidarity. That it is not the place of someone far away to decide what they can do, but to be able to learn for themselves and make their own mistakes and drag themselves back up from it. The solidarity comes from family and neighbors, who support from a distance. Maybe donating a meal or some time to help someone in need without anyone else stepping in. These are the makings of a stereotypical conservative, and we'll call them Mr/Mrs. Red.

A Purely Liberal Society

Now, for a second my liberal readers, imagine a society that only had liberals. Not even one strand of Mr. Red's hair anywhere in sight. Does it sound like a paradise? Well, maybe it shouldn't.

Think about it this way—in a society with no conservative view points at all, there is only what makes a liberal liberal. Second chances are great, challenging social norms is good, and working together is good. However, the society described looks less like paradise and more like chaotic hell.

Imagine social norms changing every other day, with no one being able to agree on what is okay to say and what isn't, no one really knowing if they're right or wrong about anything because what is expected shifts so rapidly. And then impose on that the rigid collectivism that naturally forms when a society is too liberal (Communism and Fascism) and people become hopeless and lost in the mix. And perhaps having a safety net is good, but if EVERYONE receives a second chance and whatever they need, not only is there no motivation to do anything but also the system would become so complex and expensive you'd need a Masters degree to understand the first step of the process.

Basically you'd end up being a frustrated, outcast cog in a wheel rolling off a cliff into the ocean.

A Purely Conservative Society

Before you get on your high horse, conservative readers, remember that a pure conservative society is a nightmare too. I only picked on the liberals first because I am one.

In a society with no Mr.Blues, society stops. With conservatism being traditional and with no forward push from the Blues, then the social structure and norms remain largely the same. Sure, this sounds like paradise to some of you, but really picture it. No new ideas. Doesn't that sound boring? Or perhaps if you think far enough ahead, dangerous? Imagine if Viking culture was still alive and well today, unchanged from the early 1000s AD. That would be the eventuality for a society built on tradition.

Now, hard work and dedication will work for a while and is extremely positive. But imagine that paired with extreme individualism. Nothing gets done because everyone wants to figure it out on their own, their way. And, if you happen to get injured, then you're screwed. The infirm, ill, old, and disabled would be left behind and left to suffer alone or with only a handful of people to try to help them. And dedication when left unchecked is terrifying, because it spawns extremism.

Unlike liberals, you wouldn't be a cog in a wheel going off a cliff. Instead, you'd be a vine on a tree in a forest fire, unable or unwilling to move, surrounded by people who have failed to reach sunlight.

Conservatism and Liberalism Together

Now that I've scared or angered you, let me give you some peace. Luckily, no society is like that. Humans are too nuanced and difficult to put in boxes. But, if we merge those ideas, we have a functioning society and a functioning human.

Take tradition and challenge that tradition. It may seem hostile, but that is progress, with the more traditional members of society keeping things slow enough so that we can actually enjoy life while the members of society that challenge that norm slowly but surely drive us forward.

This tradition comes back with hard work and dedication. These three paired with second chances allows people to jump back to their feet after a failure while still keeping their work ethic and dedication to success. The tradition comes in with the KISS method, i.e. keeping the system simple and easy to use so that you only have to be literate and know basic math to get help.

And finally, the individualism and collectivism are very effective together despite being opposites. Collectivism allows all members of society to speak their mind, while individualism gives people the ability to dissent and disagree. When working in harmony, all people are able to work together and solve problems together while still having their own personality and goals.

Conclusion

So there you have it. This is the relationship between the two. So before you say "I hate liberals" or "I never want to see another conservative again" step back a moment and look at the alternative. And besides, we're not Mr/Mrs.Red or Mr/Mrs. Blue. We're Smiths and Johnsons and Valleaus and Rodriguezes. So go outside, look at your neighbors. If you see some blue or red in them shake their hand and thank them for stopping you from being miserable. They may be confused but at least you're not a cog or a vine.