Liberal
The concept of liberals and conservatives has popped up a lot of late. Maybe it's because I'm cocooned in America with its self-indulgent ways... and recent obsession with elections. The issue of what exactly this term constitutes, however, was brought to the table when I was recently reading about Sarkozy's succession to the center-right party presidency - threatening to usurp Chirac in 2007.
Originally, liberal implied a progressive outlook (or so I thought). There were the right-wing conservatives and the left-liberals. Them the issue arises... how far left is left? And have economic and social issues have varying degrees of drift towards modernism? The 'conservative' opinion of old was actually a lot more progressive and less intrusive than even the current liberals. So there has obviously been a move there. However, the issue remains - what is liberal?
If one were to look at the american presidential race this time, the liberal policy seemed to be the cessation of fiscal independence... and increased government monitoring. Conservatives went for increased self-governance and tax deregualtion. Socially, however, the conservative view of "behind closed doors" as far as abortion, gay marriages and nearly everything of the nature was in stark contrast to the democrat view. So, in that case, is liberal now meant to be social independence, fiscal regualtion? And when did it crossover from an all independent view?
Of course this brings into discussion the case of France and the 'liberal' view there. Jacques Chirac was the 'liberal' turned center-right party president who went on to become president of France. His former protege, Nicolas Sarkozy (finance minister) is now the party leader of the party that was formed by Chirac. However, owing to a split in 1995, Sarkozy, the fils rebelle, and Chirac parted ways... but I digress.
In this case, the liberal view is the social and economic liberation - for the fraction of people who work. (Sure, France is rich and productive... but it's lazy and a large proportion of it freeloads... making it a nightmare for capitalist dreamers). The conservative view, increasingly (the Chirac way) is appeal to farmers, regualted expenditure and sluggish (but safe) growth [or so I am led to believe].
So, is 'liberal' the fiscal opposition of status quo and social independence?
Well.. in India, the Congress party - is supposed to be the socially liberated party, but plays the farmer and government regulation card in fiscal policy. And BJP is much like the american republican party. Hmm... full circle. [Bynote: I think our generation, especially the urban youth body, is way more conservative in more senses than not - than earlier generations. As someone was telling me the other day... it probably has to do with the fact that we have nothing to fight for. Easy money follows an easy youth and childhood. Something to ponder...]
So where do we stand? Hard to say? I suspect I raised more questions than I answered...Hmm...
Originally, liberal implied a progressive outlook (or so I thought). There were the right-wing conservatives and the left-liberals. Them the issue arises... how far left is left? And have economic and social issues have varying degrees of drift towards modernism? The 'conservative' opinion of old was actually a lot more progressive and less intrusive than even the current liberals. So there has obviously been a move there. However, the issue remains - what is liberal?
If one were to look at the american presidential race this time, the liberal policy seemed to be the cessation of fiscal independence... and increased government monitoring. Conservatives went for increased self-governance and tax deregualtion. Socially, however, the conservative view of "behind closed doors" as far as abortion, gay marriages and nearly everything of the nature was in stark contrast to the democrat view. So, in that case, is liberal now meant to be social independence, fiscal regualtion? And when did it crossover from an all independent view?
Of course this brings into discussion the case of France and the 'liberal' view there. Jacques Chirac was the 'liberal' turned center-right party president who went on to become president of France. His former protege, Nicolas Sarkozy (finance minister) is now the party leader of the party that was formed by Chirac. However, owing to a split in 1995, Sarkozy, the fils rebelle, and Chirac parted ways... but I digress.
In this case, the liberal view is the social and economic liberation - for the fraction of people who work. (Sure, France is rich and productive... but it's lazy and a large proportion of it freeloads... making it a nightmare for capitalist dreamers). The conservative view, increasingly (the Chirac way) is appeal to farmers, regualted expenditure and sluggish (but safe) growth [or so I am led to believe].
So, is 'liberal' the fiscal opposition of status quo and social independence?
Well.. in India, the Congress party - is supposed to be the socially liberated party, but plays the farmer and government regulation card in fiscal policy. And BJP is much like the american republican party. Hmm... full circle. [Bynote: I think our generation, especially the urban youth body, is way more conservative in more senses than not - than earlier generations. As someone was telling me the other day... it probably has to do with the fact that we have nothing to fight for. Easy money follows an easy youth and childhood. Something to ponder...]
So where do we stand? Hard to say? I suspect I raised more questions than I answered...Hmm...
posted by Harish at 01:12
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