I recently had a conversation with a friend, and after discussing the ordinary things guys discuss such as beer, women and sport, we moved onto a discussion about conservative views and why they seem to be dissipating or becoming less prevalent. I was recently tagged a fascist for some of my centre-right views, and my friend had recently come back from a trip to California and told me the story of how the politics in the state are decidedly conservative on a of lot issues, whilst the social behaviour in the state is mostly liberal.
This could partly be explained by the fact that California has some of the wealthier inhabitants of the United States and the conservatives among them are more comfortable placing their trust in the party of big business, the GOP, rather than “tax-and-spend” Democrats who are forever accused of seeking to expand government and taxing citizens to do so. The state is currently under Republican Governorship under Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The slow decline of conservative practices and views across most of the globe may be attributable to globalisation and the many liberal philosophies that come with it, or to the idea that conservatism represents people who are anti-gay rights, anti-abortion, anti-feminism and elitist. For whatever reason, a lot of people think that conservatism is taboo and unacceptable in the 21st century, I respectfully disagree.
I happen to be a moderate conservative and believe in some of the principles that conservatism advocates, but I cannot say that I am elitist, anti-different ideas or prejudicial in any way. Instead, I am a moderate conservative who has strong views on what should be done about crime, the lack of a death penalty in the country, social iniquities, the slow death of cultural practices and beliefs due to the increased interconnectedness of the world.
I am against the flagrant promotion of violence and sex on television along with the promulgation of some American television programs that encourage the idea that it’s okay to be dimwitted.
Detractors and critics argue that to be conservative or to believe in some of the things I mentioned is to be naïve and ignorant, but I respectfully disagree. I view a lot of issues in the world through political spectacles and the heavy defeat of the Republican Party in the 2008 elections in the US was a signal that in order for people in that country to believe in conservatism again and put Republicans back in the spotlight in the House of Representatives and the Senate, conservatism needs to be repackaged and promoted differently, the soonest opportunity coming next year.
In this country, few people complained when Bheki Cele was appointed National Police Commissioner and spoke of getting tough on crime, yet the language and tone of rhetoric he used was very much conservative in a country that is mostly viewed as left wing and liberal with a ruling party that advocates left wing policies.
The advent of the GEAR economic policy under the erstwhile President Thabo Mbeki was fairly conservative in its principles of promoting trade and allowing the markets to be independent and promoting Foreign Direct Investment ahead of redistributing wealth, as initially proposed by the ANC when it first came into power. The practice of inflation targeting, which has been widely denounced by trade unions, is another example of conservative practices that seem to sit well with a large portion of the well off populace.
These practices prove to me that although ultra conservatism and far right views are unpopular and often denounced, some conservative principles still linger and are acceptable. Thus, it seems to me that some of the dissent targeted at conservatism is based on a measure of ignorance; thus, learning and discussion is the only way to dispel the cloud of misinterpretation around the philosophies of conservatism. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “If we can enlighten the people generally, tyranny and the oppressions of mind and body will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.”
Written by Tatenda Goredema.
Tatenda Goredema is the Deputy-Editor of VARSITY Newspaper.
This could partly be explained by the fact that California has some of the wealthier inhabitants of the United States and the conservatives among them are more comfortable placing their trust in the party of big business, the GOP, rather than “tax-and-spend” Democrats who are forever accused of seeking to expand government and taxing citizens to do so. The state is currently under Republican Governorship under Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The slow decline of conservative practices and views across most of the globe may be attributable to globalisation and the many liberal philosophies that come with it, or to the idea that conservatism represents people who are anti-gay rights, anti-abortion, anti-feminism and elitist. For whatever reason, a lot of people think that conservatism is taboo and unacceptable in the 21st century, I respectfully disagree.
I happen to be a moderate conservative and believe in some of the principles that conservatism advocates, but I cannot say that I am elitist, anti-different ideas or prejudicial in any way. Instead, I am a moderate conservative who has strong views on what should be done about crime, the lack of a death penalty in the country, social iniquities, the slow death of cultural practices and beliefs due to the increased interconnectedness of the world.
I am against the flagrant promotion of violence and sex on television along with the promulgation of some American television programs that encourage the idea that it’s okay to be dimwitted.
Detractors and critics argue that to be conservative or to believe in some of the things I mentioned is to be naïve and ignorant, but I respectfully disagree. I view a lot of issues in the world through political spectacles and the heavy defeat of the Republican Party in the 2008 elections in the US was a signal that in order for people in that country to believe in conservatism again and put Republicans back in the spotlight in the House of Representatives and the Senate, conservatism needs to be repackaged and promoted differently, the soonest opportunity coming next year.
In this country, few people complained when Bheki Cele was appointed National Police Commissioner and spoke of getting tough on crime, yet the language and tone of rhetoric he used was very much conservative in a country that is mostly viewed as left wing and liberal with a ruling party that advocates left wing policies.
The advent of the GEAR economic policy under the erstwhile President Thabo Mbeki was fairly conservative in its principles of promoting trade and allowing the markets to be independent and promoting Foreign Direct Investment ahead of redistributing wealth, as initially proposed by the ANC when it first came into power. The practice of inflation targeting, which has been widely denounced by trade unions, is another example of conservative practices that seem to sit well with a large portion of the well off populace.
These practices prove to me that although ultra conservatism and far right views are unpopular and often denounced, some conservative principles still linger and are acceptable. Thus, it seems to me that some of the dissent targeted at conservatism is based on a measure of ignorance; thus, learning and discussion is the only way to dispel the cloud of misinterpretation around the philosophies of conservatism. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “If we can enlighten the people generally, tyranny and the oppressions of mind and body will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.”
Written by Tatenda Goredema.
Tatenda Goredema is the Deputy-Editor of VARSITY Newspaper.
Posts
Conservatism seems like a dying trend...but is not only politics. It is a whole lot of things. But while in the past during hard times, people seemed to be more reserved, more frugal, they now prefer to let it all loose. But is that the way to go?
ReplyDeleteConservatism has a purpose, and it is this purpose that people have to realise. I all for liberalism and all other hippie movements, but when push comes to shove, in times of global financial meltdown, perhaps a tightening of the belts would not be too bad...Good article my man.
ReplyDeleteHmm...a politician...nice.
ReplyDeleteI have contrasting views with regard to conservatism. I think that conservatism should be exterminated anywhere it is found. I think that conservatism is just another way in which the fear of the human race is compounded...let loose...economically, politically...everything...
I think that conservatism is misunderstood as well. I think that conservatism should be encouraged, especially in this current economic climate. Spending like there is no tomorrow is not the way forward...neither is relaxing policies just so that everyone can be happy. If we let the core values of our humanity be dictated by some loose-minded politicians or rulers, then it is pointless to even try and be a country. There must be some core values that we stick to. and these core values should not change...PERIOD!
ReplyDeleteGood writing style man. And very good arguments. I am from Britain and this place is going down the drain. I think that they must adopt some Chinese philosophy and be more conservative...
ReplyDelete