RFK Jr. posted about this recently:
The phrase "old-fashioned liberals" is key. I'm one of those liberals! What that term means today is nearly the opposite of what it meant to my uncle and my father. Liberal ideals are: equality before the law, freedom of speech, pro-working class policies, transparent government, opposition to war, regulation of large corporations, clean environment, opposition to authoritarian policies. With some exceptions, old-fashioned liberalism is more at home in the Republican Party now than it is in the Democratic. But really what this election is about, is bigger than a clash of two parties. It is about building a popular coalition to overthrow a corrupt establishment.
https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1830372997015670882
I'm wondering what are the differences between an old-fashioned liberal and a conservative?
From Grok:
The major differences between an old-fashioned liberal, often referred to as a classical liberal, and a conservative can be understood through several lenses, including economic policy, social issues, the role of government, and individual rights:
Economic Policy:
Classical Liberal: Advocates for free markets with minimal government intervention, emphasizing economic freedom, competition, and property rights. They believe in reducing trade barriers, supporting laissez-faire capitalism, and are skeptical of government regulations unless they protect individual rights or prevent monopolies.
Conservative: While also supporting free markets, conservatives might be more inclined towards protectionism or regulations that protect national interests or traditional industries. They might favor policies that support traditional values or structures over pure market efficiency, like tax policies that benefit family structures or small businesses.
Social Issues:
Classical Liberal: Prioritizes individual liberty, which includes freedom of speech, religion, and lifestyle choices. They might oppose laws that enforce moral or social norms unless they directly infringe on others' rights. However, they might not push for social change through government action, focusing instead on individual choice.
Conservative: Tends to favor traditional values, often advocating for policies that reinforce family structures, religious values, and national identity. They might support laws or policies that reflect these values, like restrictions on abortion or same-sex marriage, based on a belief in preserving societal norms.
Role of Government:
Classical Liberal: Believes in a limited government, primarily to protect individual rights, enforce contracts, and provide for national defense. They are wary of government overreach into personal lives or the economy.
Conservative: While also advocating for limited government in economic terms, conservatives might support a stronger role for government in social issues to uphold traditional values or national security. They might favor a government that reinforces cultural norms or national identity.
Individual Rights:
Classical Liberal: Emphasizes negative rights (freedom from interference), where individuals should be free from coercion in their personal and economic activities. This includes strong support for free speech, even when controversial.
Conservative: While also valuing individual rights, conservatives might balance these with community standards or national interest. They might support restrictions on certain freedoms if they believe it preserves social order or moral standards.
Cultural and Philosophical Differences:
Classical Liberal: Often seen as more cosmopolitan, valuing global exchange of ideas and cultures, though not necessarily through governmental means but through individual interactions.
Conservative: More likely to prioritize national or local culture, seeing globalism as a threat to national identity or sovereignty. They might support policies that protect cultural heritage or national language.
Current Sentiment from X: There's a sentiment among some users on X that modern political labels might not accurately reflect these traditional distinctions. Some argue that today's "liberals" might be more akin to what conservatives once were in terms of enforcing social norms, albeit different norms, through government action, while some "conservatives" might be closer to classical liberals in their economic policies but not necessarily in social issues.
In summary, while both classical liberals and conservatives share a skepticism towards overreaching government, they diverge significantly on the role of government in enforcing social norms, the extent of economic freedom, and how individual rights should be balanced against community or national interests. However, these distinctions can blur in modern political discourse, where terms like "liberal" and "conservative" have evolved or been redefined over time.
RFK Jr. posted about this recently:
The phrase "old-fashioned liberals" is key. I'm one of those liberals! What that term means today is nearly the opposite of what it meant to my uncle and my father. Liberal ideals are: equality before the law, freedom of speech, pro-working class policies, transparent government, opposition to war, regulation of large corporations, clean environment, opposition to authoritarian policies. With some exceptions, old-fashioned liberalism is more at home in the Republican Party now than it is in the Democratic. But really what this election is about, is bigger than a clash of two parties. It is about building a popular coalition to overthrow a corrupt establishment.
https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1830372997015670882
I'm wondering what are the differences between an old-fashioned liberal and a conservative?
From Grok:
The major differences between an old-fashioned liberal, often referred to as a classical liberal, and a conservative can be understood through several lenses, including economic policy, social issues, the role of government, and individual rights:
Economic Policy:
Classical Liberal: Advocates for free markets with minimal government intervention, emphasizing economic freedom, competition, and property rights. They believe in reducing trade barriers, supporting laissez-faire capitalism, and are skeptical of government regulations unless they protect individual rights or prevent monopolies.
Conservative: While also supporting free markets, conservatives might be more inclined towards protectionism or regulations that protect national interests or traditional industries. They might favor policies that support traditional values or structures over pure market efficiency, like tax policies that benefit family structures or small businesses.
Social Issues:
Classical Liberal: Prioritizes individual liberty, which includes freedom of speech, religion, and lifestyle choices. They might oppose laws that enforce moral or social norms unless they directly infringe on others' rights. However, they might not push for social change through government action, focusing instead on individual choice.
Conservative: Tends to favor traditional values, often advocating for policies that reinforce family structures, religious values, and national identity. They might support laws or policies that reflect these values, like restrictions on abortion or same-sex marriage, based on a belief in preserving societal norms.
Role of Government:
Classical Liberal: Believes in a limited government, primarily to protect individual rights, enforce contracts, and provide for national defense. They are wary of government overreach into personal lives or the economy.
Conservative: While also advocating for limited government in economic terms, conservatives might support a stronger role for government in social issues to uphold traditional values or national security. They might favor a government that reinforces cultural norms or national identity.
Individual Rights:
Classical Liberal: Emphasizes negative rights (freedom from interference), where individuals should be free from coercion in their personal and economic activities. This includes strong support for free speech, even when controversial.
Conservative: While also valuing individual rights, conservatives might balance these with community standards or national interest. They might support restrictions on certain freedoms if they believe it preserves social order or moral standards.
Cultural and Philosophical Differences:
Classical Liberal: Often seen as more cosmopolitan, valuing global exchange of ideas and cultures, though not necessarily through governmental means but through individual interactions.
Conservative: More likely to prioritize national or local culture, seeing globalism as a threat to national identity or sovereignty. They might support policies that protect cultural heritage or national language.
Current Sentiment from X: There's a sentiment among some users on X that modern political labels might not accurately reflect these traditional distinctions. Some argue that today's "liberals" might be more akin to what conservatives once were in terms of enforcing social norms, albeit different norms, through government action, while some "conservatives" might be closer to classical liberals in their economic policies but not necessarily in social issues.
In summary, while both classical liberals and conservatives share a skepticism towards overreaching government, they diverge significantly on the role of government in enforcing social norms, the extent of economic freedom, and how individual rights should be balanced against community or national interests. However, these distinctions can blur in modern political discourse, where terms like "liberal" and "conservative" have evolved or been redefined over time.
RFK Jr. posted about this recently:
The phrase "old-fashioned liberals" is key. I'm one of those liberals! What that term means today is nearly the opposite of what it meant to my uncle and my father. Liberal ideals are: equality before the law, freedom of speech, pro-working class policies, transparent government, opposition to war, regulation of large corporations, clean environment, opposition to authoritarian policies. With some exceptions, old-fashioned liberalism is more at home in the Republican Party now than it is in the Democratic. But really what this election is about, is bigger than a clash of two parties. It is about building a popular coalition to overthrow a corrupt establishment.
https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1830372997015670882
I'm wondering what are the differences between an old-fashioned liberal and a conservative?
From Grok:
An "old-fashioned liberal," often referred to as a classical liberal, embodies a political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, limited government intervention in personal, social, and economic affairs, and a strong belief in the rule of law. Here's a detailed look into what this term entails:
Individual Liberty: Old-fashioned liberals prioritize individual freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press. They advocate for a society where individuals have the maximum amount of freedom to pursue their own interests without undue interference from the state or society.
Economic Freedom: They support free markets, advocating for minimal government intervention in economic activities. This includes opposition to excessive regulations, tariffs, and monopolies, believing that a laissez-faire approach leads to economic prosperity.
Limited Government: The role of government, according to classical liberalism, should be confined to protecting individual rights, maintaining law and order, and providing public goods that the market cannot efficiently produce. This perspective contrasts with modern liberalism, which often supports a more expansive role for government in social welfare.
Rule of Law: Equality before the law is paramount. Old-fashioned liberals believe that laws should apply equally to all, without favoritism or discrimination, ensuring justice and fairness in society.
Civil Liberties: There's a strong emphasis on civil liberties, including the right to privacy, property rights, and freedom from arbitrary power. This includes skepticism towards government surveillance or any form of authoritarian control.
Historical Context: The term "old-fashioned liberal" might be used nostalgically to refer to a time when liberalism was more aligned with these principles before the term began to shift in the 20th century towards what is now often called social liberalism or progressivism in the U.S., which includes more government intervention for social justice and welfare.
Contrast with Modern Liberalism: Today's liberalism in many contexts, especially in the U.S., has evolved to include support for social justice, environmental regulations, and a broader welfare state, which contrasts with the classical liberal's emphasis on individual responsibility and minimal state involvement.
Current Sentiment: From posts on X, there's a sentiment that the term "liberal" has been co-opted or evolved, leading some to yearn for or identify with the "old-fashioned" or "classic" liberal values, which they see as more aligned with individual freedoms and less with collective rights or state intervention.
In summary, an old-fashioned liberal, or classical liberal, champions individual rights, free markets, and limited government, focusing on creating conditions where personal freedoms and economic opportunities flourish with minimal state interference. This philosophy has seen a resurgence in interest, often under the banner of libertarianism or through think tanks and political movements advocating for a return to these foundational liberal principles.