Posted on 02/11/2016 12:02:09 PM PST by Torcert
This is a short dissertation on the Real political spectrum, Each step of the way will be confirmed by the dictionary definitions of the various political ideologies and how they relate to the spectrum.
In order to properly set it out in a logical manner we need to base it on the metric of governmental power since this should be the clearest method of distinguishing where the ideologies fall on the spectrum.
1. Government Control scale.
For the sake of simplicity we will use a scale of %0 to %100 with zero for no governmental control and ranging up to 100 for total government control. Since its generally axiomatic that Conservatives and Libertarians favour Limited and lesser government it will start with zero on the Right end of the scale. And by the same token the tendency of the left is for increased government control and thus the Left end will be %100 governmental control.
2. Defining the ends of the scale.
The zero point will clearly correspond to the ideological condition of anarchy.
Full Definition of ANARCHYWhile the 100 point corresponding to the condition of a Total government Control:
1a : absence of government
b : a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority
c : a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government
2 a : absence or denial of any authority or established order
b : absence of order : disorder not manicured plots but a wild anarchy of nature — Israel Shenker
Origin of ANARCHY
Medieval Latin anarchia, from Greek, from anarchos having no ruler, from an- + archos ruler
First Known Use: 1539
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anarchy
Definition of TOTALITARIAN3. Now that we have established those data points we can examine what occurs as one moves along the scale from right to left
1a : of or relating to centralized control by an autocratic leader or hierarchy : authoritarian, dictatorial; especially : despotic
b : of or relating to a political regime based on subordination of the individual to the state and strict control of all aspects of the life and productive capacity of the nation especially by coercive measures (as censorship and terrorism)
2a : advocating or characteristic of totalitarianism
b : completely regulated by the state especially as an aid to national mobilization in an emergency
First Known Use of TOTALITARIAN
circa 1934
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarian
The right end scale with smaller percentages of Government control would have Libertarianism followed by Conservatism.
Full Definition of LIBERTARIAN
1: an advocate of the doctrine of free will
2a : a person who upholds the principles of individual liberty especially of thought and action
b capitalized : a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/libertarianism
right wing: the part of a political group that consists of people who support conservative or traditional ideas and policies : the part of a political group that belongs to or supports the Right
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right%20wing
Definition of CONSERVATISMMoving on towards the Left to the higher reaches of the scale corresponding to higher and higher levels of government control
1capitalized
a : the principles and policies of a Conservative party
b : the Conservative party
2 a : disposition in politics to preserve what is established
b : a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)
3: the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservatism
left wing: the part of a political group that consists of people who support liberal or socialist ideas and policies : the part of a political group that belongs to or supports the Left
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/left%20wing
Definition of SOCIALISM
1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done
First Known Use of SOCIALISM
1837
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism
Full Definition of FASCISM
1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control early instances of army fascism and brutality — J. W. Aldridge
Origin of FASCISM
Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces
First Known Use: 1921
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascism
Definition of COMMUNISMThus we have set out a basic scale of the real political spectrum backed up by the factual definitions of the various points on the scale. While there may be disagreements with regard to the specific locations where a particular ideology will fall, the overall sequence will still be sound.
1a : a theory advocating elimination of private property
b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2capitalized
a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
d : communist systems collectively
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communism
The point is to set out the various ideologies relative to each other.
“The point is to set out the various ideologies relative to each other.”
I know the subject. My point is the terms have been destroyed for practical usage, by misuse.
You might consider using some other terminology like “mixed economy” which would encompass both Sweden and the US.
left wing anarchists?
left wing: the part of a political group that consists of people who support liberal or socialist ideas and policies : the part of a political group that belongs to or supports the Left
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/left%20wing
Definition of SOCIALISM
1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done
First Known Use of SOCIALISM
1837
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism
Does that sound like there could be an absence of government in that scenario?
Why? It would seem like that scale does it quite well.
What is the point in driving deeper into a Tower of babel situation where words are made even more meaningless?
What are you referring to by the term mixed economy?
Maybe if people saw that they have basically two choices, freedom or tyranny, they would pick political freedom and learn about the Constitution as the legal basis and protection of their political freedom the alternative being slavery to the tyranny of the feds.
That reminds me of the quote Mark Levine had for his book liberty and tyranny
We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word many mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name- liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names - liberty and tyranny.
Abraham Lincoln
Source:April 18, 1864 - Address at Sanitary Fair, Baltimore, Maryland
The problem is many people have forgotten the danger of socialism and they have been taught definitions for words that make no sense.
“What are you referring to by the term mixed economy? “
Google it. Also google a series available on youtube (which played on PBS) from Dr. Milton Friedman called “Free to Choose” and a book by the same title.
Anybody calling themselves a conservative, should be knowledgable about this subject.
Friedman made the case for Free Market Capitalism. Right in time for Reagan.
Your personal assignment, is to compare and contrast the level of knowledge held by so called conservatives then, and now, on economics.
If you aren’t disappointed you are not well informed.
Few conservatives make or even can make the case for Free Market Conservatism.
It's certainly a (l)ibertarian definition, and one I generally subscribe to.
But we are far, far from a majority.
In the interim I intend to vote for the candidate I think will do their best to take care of the Republic. Once preservation is assured, I'll be on your side.
If 10% is Good Enough for Jesus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQc_WPUCE-o
I will tell you what I tell everyone else - I don’t go in for the ‘wild goose chase’ gambit.
You used the term, you have to define it and explain it to the class.
Perfect!!
On a side note - why is it that the government can never do with less?
When the subject comes about a tax cut the refrain is always - how will we pay for it?
Why can’t the people rise up when a Tax INCREASE is mentioned and ask the same question?
I’ll take any marginal improvement toward that end.
By which, no GOPe / RINO can possibly assist. They’ve proved they will merely rubber stamp absolutely anything 0bama comes up with.
Thanks Torcert. We just need to try to influence and really, educate, as many as we can. With God’s help, and by his grace, I think we can go far.
You’re welcome, I am very hopeful that things will work out..
I would like to know where on this scale ‘democratic socialism’ falls on. Bernie bots are throwing that term around like it should make it all okay. Bernie was supposed to educate us all what the term means, but I must have missed that lesson. Has anyone figured out what it is that convinces lv folks that ‘democratic socialism’ is not so different than what we have right now ... or ... IS it what we have right now? Thanks for any clarification. I never can understand the Left.
bkmk
You seem to not understand I'm the professor here - you are the student.
If you are going to toss of terms like mixed economy then it is incumbent on you to define the bloody phrase based on EXCERPTS and Links from authentic reference sites.
Definition of democratic socialism
noun
A form of socialism pursued by democratic rather than autocratic or revolutionary means, especially by respecting a democratically elected legislature as the source of political change; (also more generally) moderate or centrist socialism.
Origin
Mid 19th cent.; earliest use found in The Athenaeum. From democratic + socialism.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/democratic-socialism?
Definition of socialism
a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. policy or practice based on the political and economic theory of socialism.
(in Marxist theory) a transitional social state between the overthrow of capitalism and the realization of Communism.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/socialism
But the best answer is straight from the horse's month - this is a quote from the Principles of Communism- written in the 1840's:
Principles of Communism - How do communists differ from socialists?
[ Democratic Socialists: ]
Finally, the third category consists of democratic socialists who favor some of the same measures the communists advocate, as described in Question 18, not as part of the transition to communism, however, but as measures which they believe will be sufficient to abolish the misery and evils of present-day society.
These democratic socialists are either proletarians who are not yet sufficiently clear about the conditions of the liberation of their class, or they are representatives of the petty bourgeoisie, a class which, prior to the achievement of democracy and the socialist measures to which it gives rise, has many interests in common with the proletariat.
It follows that, in moments of action, the communists will have to come to an understanding with these democratic socialists, and in general to follow as far as possible a common policy with them - provided that these socialists do not enter into the service of the ruling bourgeoisie and attack the communists.
It is clear that this form of co-operation in action does not exclude the discussion of differences.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11347493-the-principles-of-communism
“I’m still eagerly awaiting your explanation of that term and the other assignments you gave yourself.
You seem to not understand I’m the professor here - you are the student.”
No participation from me, due to your superior and dismissive attitude.
truth_seeker Google it. Also google a series available on youtube (which played on PBS) from Dr. Milton Friedman called "Free to Chooseâ" and a book by the same title.
Anybody calling themselves a conservative, should be knowledgable about this subject.
Friedman made the case for Free Market Capitalism. Right in time for Reagan.
Your personal assignment, is to compare and contrast the level of knowledge held by so called conservatives then, and now, on economics.
If you aren't disappointed you are not well informed.
Few conservatives make or even can make the case for Free Market Conservatism.
No, Your participation is required if you want to issue personal assignment(s) such as you have.
Do you understand that You have to prove your own points?
I have gone through the effort to back up my assertions with Excerpts and links, the least you could do is extend the same courtesy to others.
And speak for yourself with regard to a superior and dismissive attitude.
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