So, the labels “Liberal,” “Conservative,” and “Reactionary” are regularly bandied about and employed like edged weapons. There seems to be no stronger epithet these days, one of these labels in the hands of an adversary. But, let’s spend a moment examining each of them.
A Liberal, according to Webster, is someone open to new behaviors or opinions and willing to discard traditional values.
A Conservative is a person holding to traditional values and is cautious about change or innovation.
A Reactionary is a person opposed to political or social change or reform. Dictionary.com also defines it as “…..extreme conservatism in politics.”
The all have both positive and negative aspects (for someone). All three see themselves as the keepers of the sacred flame. Liberals push for change. Change is good. Change equals progress. Well, not always. Unbridled change often leads to chaos. Whenever you enable a change to endow a right or freedom to a hitherto unprotected class you invariably step on someone else’s toes. For example: Transgender rights to a bathroom of their choice. Liberals are all for it. Conservatives and Reactionaries (with the noted exceptions of the transgender him/her self) are concerned that some 6’2” “man” will invade a woman’s room and molest young women. While it may not be a real problem it is certainly a perceived one. Solution: Make all bathrooms single occupancy/gender neutral.
Liberal,
Conservative,
Reactionary
(A Tutorial)
by Dave Bresler