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“I don’t care if people call me a radical, a rebel, a red, a revolutionary, an outsider, an outlaw, a Bolshevik, an anarchist, a nihilist, or even a left conservative, but please don’t ever call me a liberal.”
~Norman Mailer
I don’t actually mind being called liberal (very liberal, yada yada) but find it highly inaccurate. It’s not a matter of disliking the label either – I have no problems given by its recent stigmas. I am not a liberal. I am left of liberal, progressive, a radical, whatever works along those lines. I’m not even really a social democrat.
As for what I am exactly, I kind of dislike labels. If it helps at all, on the political compass I was about two blocks over from being the most left and three up from the most libertarian. When I take political quizzes that are to identify with a political party in another country, I typically end up with the Labour (but not in the UK – I’d fit well with Old Labour but not New) or democratic socialist type parties. Ideology and philosophy quizzes tend to put with a variety of labels – classic socialist, democratic socialist, ecosocialist, liberal socialist, etc. Despite being this left, I definitely do not support authoritarianism, such as the views espoused by Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Trotsky, etc. I am interested in political philosophies in general, though, so I talk about and study views I do not agree with frequently.
Economically, I’ll admit that I’m somewhat mixed about a long term solution. I find a total classless society to be impractical and, frankly, boring. I think, however, it’s a relatively worthwhile goal to have when working toward policies. In one sense I’m attracted the totally free from trade ideals of a gift economy, but I also see many, many problems with that and kind of consider it irrelevant as I can’t see it happening in my lifetime without catastrophe.
In short, practically speaking, I support a progressive tax structure, nationalized major industries, and a plethora of social and public services. I also think that we should look to the Nordic countries as examples of this, rather than the often hailed failures of Eastern Europe, Cuba, and China.
USSR =/= Maoist China =/= Democratic Socialim =/= Social Democracy.
I consider myself a feminist and would describe myself as a combination of liberal, socialist, and anarchafeminist. I support state policies to support women’s equality, which recognizing and encouraging their differences (for lack of a better way to phrase it): ERA, paid parental leave/subsidized daycare; legal mandates for the allowance of part time work for parents; support of breastfeeding; easy, free, and safe access to birth control of various varieties (including the Pill, IUDs, and Plan B/emergency contraceptive); easy, free, and safe access to first trimester abortions; regulated aspect to second trimester abortions for various reasons as determined by the doctor; third trimester abortions for serious problems that pose a risk to the life or health of the mother. I also think that capitalistic society encourages sexism, that 1960s/70s era feminism – while doing a good deal of good – ignored the needs of less affluent women, and that a less capitalistic society would help feminism. I, however, do not consider it the only solution or the solution that would solve everything.
I support equality – economically and between genders, obviously, but otherwise as well. I don’t think that homosexuality should deny you the ability to marry, I don’t think that religion should prohibit you from education, etc. Speaking of which, separation of church and state – yes, yes, yes.
Speaking of the Constitution, I don’t think that an amendment that discusses “well regulated” prohibits the government from, well, regulating the possession of arms. I personally find the possession of guns for self defense (from other human beings, I mean) upsetting, but I can understand the possession as historical artifacts and for hunting. I’m fine with hunting, as well, provided it is done for food – necessary or not – and not done in a wholly unnatural (like aerial) way. I think if you just want to shoot birds for fun, however, they made clay pigeons for a reason.
To me, both evolution and climate change are the prevailing scientific theories with compelling evidence. Does this mean that there aren’t questions still unasked? Of course not. But I find that, typically, the arguments against their existences often reveal a lack of understanding about the principles involved in them (not always, but from what I’ve heard).
On a similar note, I support policies designed to slow climate change and make the environment healthier. I support regulation to that effect as well. I am strongly in favor of genuinely renewable energy – wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, and hydroelectricity. I do not support biofuels (food vs. fuel possibilities) or nuclear power. I am also strongly in favor of public transportation. I also think that government support of both of these would be good for the economy.
I’m against capital punishment.
I consider myself a pacifist; however, I think everything’s different when crimes against humanity are involved.
Iraq. Was in the small percentage against it from the get go. Want to get out now. Now.
Yesbama. If it’s not clear why….
I’m sure I’ve forgotten many, many things, but this is a start.
~Norman Mailer
I don’t actually mind being called liberal (very liberal, yada yada) but find it highly inaccurate. It’s not a matter of disliking the label either – I have no problems given by its recent stigmas. I am not a liberal. I am left of liberal, progressive, a radical, whatever works along those lines. I’m not even really a social democrat.
As for what I am exactly, I kind of dislike labels. If it helps at all, on the political compass I was about two blocks over from being the most left and three up from the most libertarian. When I take political quizzes that are to identify with a political party in another country, I typically end up with the Labour (but not in the UK – I’d fit well with Old Labour but not New) or democratic socialist type parties. Ideology and philosophy quizzes tend to put with a variety of labels – classic socialist, democratic socialist, ecosocialist, liberal socialist, etc. Despite being this left, I definitely do not support authoritarianism, such as the views espoused by Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Trotsky, etc. I am interested in political philosophies in general, though, so I talk about and study views I do not agree with frequently.
Economically, I’ll admit that I’m somewhat mixed about a long term solution. I find a total classless society to be impractical and, frankly, boring. I think, however, it’s a relatively worthwhile goal to have when working toward policies. In one sense I’m attracted the totally free from trade ideals of a gift economy, but I also see many, many problems with that and kind of consider it irrelevant as I can’t see it happening in my lifetime without catastrophe.
In short, practically speaking, I support a progressive tax structure, nationalized major industries, and a plethora of social and public services. I also think that we should look to the Nordic countries as examples of this, rather than the often hailed failures of Eastern Europe, Cuba, and China.
USSR =/= Maoist China =/= Democratic Socialim =/= Social Democracy.
I consider myself a feminist and would describe myself as a combination of liberal, socialist, and anarchafeminist. I support state policies to support women’s equality, which recognizing and encouraging their differences (for lack of a better way to phrase it): ERA, paid parental leave/subsidized daycare; legal mandates for the allowance of part time work for parents; support of breastfeeding; easy, free, and safe access to birth control of various varieties (including the Pill, IUDs, and Plan B/emergency contraceptive); easy, free, and safe access to first trimester abortions; regulated aspect to second trimester abortions for various reasons as determined by the doctor; third trimester abortions for serious problems that pose a risk to the life or health of the mother. I also think that capitalistic society encourages sexism, that 1960s/70s era feminism – while doing a good deal of good – ignored the needs of less affluent women, and that a less capitalistic society would help feminism. I, however, do not consider it the only solution or the solution that would solve everything.
I support equality – economically and between genders, obviously, but otherwise as well. I don’t think that homosexuality should deny you the ability to marry, I don’t think that religion should prohibit you from education, etc. Speaking of which, separation of church and state – yes, yes, yes.
Speaking of the Constitution, I don’t think that an amendment that discusses “well regulated” prohibits the government from, well, regulating the possession of arms. I personally find the possession of guns for self defense (from other human beings, I mean) upsetting, but I can understand the possession as historical artifacts and for hunting. I’m fine with hunting, as well, provided it is done for food – necessary or not – and not done in a wholly unnatural (like aerial) way. I think if you just want to shoot birds for fun, however, they made clay pigeons for a reason.
To me, both evolution and climate change are the prevailing scientific theories with compelling evidence. Does this mean that there aren’t questions still unasked? Of course not. But I find that, typically, the arguments against their existences often reveal a lack of understanding about the principles involved in them (not always, but from what I’ve heard).
On a similar note, I support policies designed to slow climate change and make the environment healthier. I support regulation to that effect as well. I am strongly in favor of genuinely renewable energy – wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, and hydroelectricity. I do not support biofuels (food vs. fuel possibilities) or nuclear power. I am also strongly in favor of public transportation. I also think that government support of both of these would be good for the economy.
I’m against capital punishment.
I consider myself a pacifist; however, I think everything’s different when crimes against humanity are involved.
Iraq. Was in the small percentage against it from the get go. Want to get out now. Now.
Yesbama. If it’s not clear why….
I’m sure I’ve forgotten many, many things, but this is a start.
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