People often say, "There are two types of people . . ." and they are correct. Ultimately, despite whatever iterations and variations of the phrase that people are most fond, it really comes down to optimism and pessimism.
Conservatism is the label we give to the ideology, mindset, world view, or whatever you choose to call it, of those who are basically and fundamentally optimistic. This optimism lends this optimist, or conservative, or whatever you choose to call him/her, to believe and know that they can do for themself and place a higher value on their freedoms and liberty than on reliance of a greater force. The optimist is sure in making decisions and has the confidence to make those decisions.
What we call liberalism is only the opposing ideology, world view, or whatever you choose to call it: pessimism. The basic and fundamentally pessimistic person does not have the same surety that they can do for themself and would rather give up a measure of their freedoms and liberties for the safety that a greater power can provide. The pessimist does not have confidence in their ability to make decisions based purely on reason and logic and so rely on emotion to serve as their guide when that greater power is not there to step in. This is not intended to be insulting to those on the left, only matter-of-fact; though, it will most likely be so received. Afterall, wouldn't we all like to think of ourselves as optimistic, bright, cheerful, etc.?
But, self proclaimed liberals and progressives ought to ask themselves why do I support and trust big-government ideas? What about Barack Obama's rhetoric that makes me believe in him? Why do I accept social, community programs in government in exchange for ever higher taxes? What is it about capitalism that I don't like and why?
Capitalism is a great standard, perhaps the best, by which to gauge true ideological standing. As a way of living, capitalism is wholly natural – dare I say, organic - to optimists. Capitalism requires a great deal of self-reliance; and, this is home-turf for optimists and anathema for pessimists. Capitalism is all about building a better mouse-trap for a lower price – the optimist thrives under such conditions. The pessimist prefers the social model precisely because they won’t be left behind despite their tentativeness.
Look at it another way: the optimist loves a growing, thriving market economy because “a rising tide lifts all boats” while knowing that the size of their own, personal boat will directly relate to the product of their labors. The pessimist, on the other hand, would rather that all boats be secure though none be larger than the others and the tide be nearly non-existent.
I'm certain there is any number of litmus tests that one can give oneself to gauge their political leaning. The point of any such a test is to provide the opportunity to ask oneself, "Why do I ultimately and fundamentally accept this over that?"
These same two groups of people – and there are only two groups, the only differences being in degrees – love to claim they are part of the “conservative movement” or the “progressive movement.” The terms, however, are misnomers. Call them whatever you want but conservatism and liberalism aren't movements any more than having hair is a movement. Each is only one of two all-encompassing outlooks on life by which each and every one of us is guided. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that, we are not so much guided by these outlooks but, we are fundamentally comprised and metaphysically built around these outlooks. Either way, there are really only two types of people: optimists and pessimists.
No comments:
Post a Comment