this post was submitted on 22 May 2025
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Progressive Politics

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submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by TokenBoomer@lemmy.world to c/progressivepolitics@lemmy.world
 
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[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

I don't think so, because then you're imagining a world where somebody controls what can or can't be online. That's not progressive.

[–] RedFrank24@lemmy.world 12 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

I'm fine with conservative media in theory, but the problem with conservative media these days is just the constant blatant lying.

I think there's definitely room for conservative voices, like:

  • Conserving the environment.
  • Putting checks and balances on AI and technology in general
  • Maintaining non-harmful cultural traditions (Morris Dancing is cringe, but it should still be around)
  • Promoting an emphasis on local community and family rather than individualism fuelling the capitalist system

Even traditions that have been harmful can be recontextualised and maintained and used as a means of teaching, rather than thrown out entirely in the name of progress. People are so drawn to places like Japan (at least partially) because they maintain their traditions and seek to conserve what they have rather than constantly push forward and bulldoze everything old because it's old. Obviously not everyone believes in the traditions, but they keep them anyway.

Nowadays though? Conservatives have basically tossed all of that in favor of allowing capital to completely bulldoze over traditions and then blaming the ensuing misery on the gays.

[–] RunawayFixer@lemmy.world 6 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

I don't think political conservatism has ever meant caring about conserving heritage and nature. From the inception of the concept in the 18th century to now, it's always been about conserving (or bringing back) inequality in power and wealth. It was never about preserving nature or protecting other people their way of life. Then and now, the credo of the conservative movement might just as well be "I want rules for thee but not for me".

[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Political conservatism definitely has meant conserving heritage and nature, just not in your lifetime. Example: Theodore Roosevelt created America's national park system. But since at least as far back as 1980 conservatism has been co-opted by con men as a beard for their own gain. I think the main reason they've succeeded is that so many conservatives, although basically good at heart, were brought up with the biblical family model of putting absolute faith in a strong and wise Daddy who looks after them. They want to believe in that so hard because it's so much a part of who they are, once they identify a Daddy they'll give him a pass on just about everything. Once you figure out how to become Daddy they're all yours.

[–] RedFrank24@lemmy.world 2 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Then what would you call someone who holds those beliefs? The belief that some things ought to be conserved and progress ought to be held back in some circumstances? I would call that conservative in a small c kind of way, as opposed to big c Conservatives that are all about centralised power and handing everything over to big businesses to strip the world clean of anything of value.

[–] RunawayFixer@lemmy.world 3 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Conservators are those that work towards the conservation of things.

Edit: conservation and conservatism are 2 very different things. To work towards conservation of something is not going to be directly tied to political backgrounds: It is not because someone is a socialist or liberal, that they will not want to conserve some things. Everyone will probably have some things (nature, monuments, traditions, ...) that they want to conserve for future generations.

[–] rayyy@lemmy.world 9 points 10 hours ago

Imagine a world where news was balanced and progressives had equal media representation.

[–] unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz 7 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

looks like cool discussion downwind but why should we even argue about what is "conservative"

you're interested in conserving resources? you got some canned food in your cubbard? you tried to teach your kid whatever bullshit you thought was important from your folks? BOOM you're a Filthy Conservative.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 5 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

I'm interested in conserving the word "cupboard"

[–] unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz 3 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

damn swear i knew some one on the internet would come after for that

you're not wrong though

[–] Asidonhopo@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Old Mother Hubbard glares disapprovingly

[–] unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz 2 points 14 hours ago

some individual should explain to her about phonetic spelling and it's all irrelevant, as long as you understand the context and hopefully the nuance

[–] boaratio@lemmy.world 100 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I am so sick of the word conservative. It's not conservative, it's fucking regressive. It's back sliding our society into a world that never really existed in the first place.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 34 points 1 day ago (2 children)

It’s not conservative, it’s fucking regressive.

I mean, Liberals aren't particularly liberal and far too many of the Progressives are barely progressive. Libertarians don't seem that interested in liberty. Centrists can't find the center. Plutocrats are immolating their capital. The Meritocrats are unqualified. The Technocrats are incompetent. Only the Fascists seem intent on delivering results consistent with their brand.

[–] JcbAzPx@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The democratic party is run by conservatives that are keeping the liberals and progressives in check. The republican party is so far off the deep end we need a new word for what they are.

[–] Lime66@lemmy.world 4 points 14 hours ago

I've managed to find a few that can describe the Republicans:

  • Nazis
  • Neo-Nazis
[–] boaratio@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I don't disagree. The world liberal is wasted on the Democratic party. They're not liberal. They're just the only valid opposition to the Nazis. Even if their policies are conservative.

[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago

They’re just the only valid opposition to the Nazis.

I think you're asking "opposition" to do more heavy lifting than it can bear in that sentence.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

They’re just the only valid opposition to the Nazis.

They've rolled over so fast and so frequently that I'd hardly call them "opposition" without prefixing it with "controlled".

The most influential force in Democratic Party leadership right now is Bitcoin Banks, ffs. They're fully rotten.

[–] MehBlah@lemmy.world 23 points 1 day ago

I say this all the time and somehow people just can't see it. Who cares what they call themselves. Its what they do and what they want that describes them.

[–] samus12345@lemm.ee 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"Conservative" just means "extreme far-right" now.

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[–] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] HertzDentalBar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Love how even in this future people still park on the fuckin sidewalks.

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