Republicanism and Liberalism

[CountArach]

The small government parties, such as Libertarian and Green, both want a smaller government, but again want what remains focused in different directions.

Greens are big government - just a small government in terms of interfering with the lives of citizens.

Now, the question is, are Rousseau's ideas the official basis of the Republican party doctrine ? I doubt so, and I sincerely hope I'm right.

No Rousseau had almost no influence that I can see on their party.

[Yoyoma1910]

Greens are big government - just a small government in terms of interfering with the lives of citizens.

No, the green party will replace the government with a nice shrubbery. One not too tall.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Bush blew the small government description out of the water for the next few years, I agree with Lemur.

[Jolt]

My view on USA parties using my Left-Right dictomies:

Marxism-Leninism/Communism (Communist Party USA) -|- Left-Wing Radicals (Socialist Party USA) - Social Democrat (Labor Party/Green Party) - Social Conservative (Constitution Party) - Social Liberal (Democratic Party) - Market Liberal (Republican Party/Libertarian Party) -|- Fascism/National Socialism (National Socialist White People's Party)

[Rhyfelwyr]

Well the two main theories of the Enlightenment were that of republicanism and liberalism.

I was simply saying, since the US was formed around this time, why would the Republican Party name themselves after an ideology that they at least claim to be contradictive to their own beliefs?

[Banquo's Ghost]

Well the two main theories of the Enlightenment were that of republicanism and liberalism.

I was simply saying, since the US was formed around this time, why would the Republican Party name themselves after an ideology that they at least claim to be contradictive to their own beliefs?

I think essentially because the Republican party wasn't (of itself) formed of the Enlightenment and Independence.

Both main parties have changed substantially over the years - IIRC, the Democratic Party was originally quite the flagship of slave-owners. Indeed - and more learned colleagues will correct me - I think Jefferson's original party was called the Democratic-Republicans.

The Republican Party came into being and power with the election of Abraham Lincoln - one of its main platforms being the abolition of slavery.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Thanks for that Banquo. So the modern associations each party has are more of a modern phenomenon it would seem?

[SwordsMaster]

Small government alright. Bush is even managing to outsource the army...

[HoreTore]

The people? The people? My dear fellow, surely you can't trust people, ordinary people, to do what they really want? The people doesn't know what it wants. Of course, they think they know what they want. A new shiny car, crummy plops for breakfast, dolphin-friendly potatos. But these are just things that they've been told that they need by however wants to make some dosh. How can they know what they want? Ask the average man in the street who, say, Aristotle, was, and they'd probably answer that it was the name of the man who ran the local kebab shop. Placing your faith in such people is like trusting children to properly run a sweet factory. Therein lies madness, my friend.

Hmmm.... Are we seeing another fascist friend in the backroom, here?

No, the green party will replace the government with a nice shrubbery. One not too tall.

With a little path running between?

[Rhyfelwyr]

Hmmm.... Are we seeing another fascist friend in the backroom, here?

So Winston Churchill was a fascist by your definition?

[Fisherking]

Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers the individual subordinate to the interests of the state, party or society as a whole.

By this definition I think both parties qualify.

I favor the rights of the individual at the expense of government. I think that a strict interpretation of the Construction is best and puts a limit on government interference.

Neither American Political Party will do more than play lip service to the rights of the individual. I am not in favor of unrestrained capitalism, however, as that also has an effect on the rights of every individual and I do not believe that corporations should be treated as individuals under the law, but be regulated by the states or governments that they operate under.

I can not reconcile these views with either party. One says it favors small government and individual rights while passing the Patriot Act. The other has advocated a Living Constitution (what in essence means that the constitution means what ever is most convenient to the government)

The Elite of both Parties place the interests of special interest groups and their own personal power above that of the people and may actually believe that they know better than the people what they need.

I find it difficult to understand why most people would affiliate themselves with either party.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers the individual subordinate to the interests of the state, party or society as a whole.

By this definition I think both parties qualify.

Teddybear is a bear that leads individuals on to believe it is all cute and cuddly. However, a closer inpection usually reveals they are not a bear at all. Just the fake promise of.

By this definition I think both parties qualify. Like teddybears, none of their sweet promises ever turn out to be true. It is all falsehoods and deceit.

Fascism and teddybears, that's what US politics is all about.

[Fragony]

Oh god any bucket would do just mob me up

[Pannonian]

Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers the individual subordinate to the interests of the state, party or society as a whole.

Hang on. That's not the only distinguishing feature of Fascism, otherwise Communism and other utopian ideologies would fit into your definition. There's also stuff about the nation myth, relationship between corporate interests and ruling elite, and so on.

[HoreTore]

So Winston Churchill was a fascist by your definition?

I place him in the "upper class brat" category.

[Rhyfelwyr]

I place him in the "upper class brat" category.

I know what you mean, I would not be happy having him as my MP, the people of Dundee weren't anyway.

However, you have to accept that he helped save the world from Nazism. At least give him credit for that.

[King Henry V]

Hmmm.... Are we seeing another fascist friend in the backroom, here?

Oh no, fascism is for people who feel insecure about their lack of height. I believe in freedom of speech and all that malarkey. I think of myself as more of a paternalist democrat.

I have never so wholeheartedly agreed with the sentiment of a post in the Backroom for a long, long time.

The Backroom: where people get along. Sometimes.

[JR-]

Hmmm.... Are we seeing another fascist friend in the backroom, here?

i would have said that "authoritarian" would be a better description of the sentiment above.

[HoreTore]

However, you have to accept that he helped save the world from Nazism. At least give him credit for that.

So did a lot of people I don't like.

i would have said that "authoritarian" would be a better description of the sentiment above.

Yes, well... Pot-hay-to, potato....

[Rhyfelwyr]

So did a lot of people I don't like.

Without mass-murdering his own people...

[HoreTore]

Without mass-murdering his own people...

Lots of people who stopped the nazi's are people I don't like. And plenty of them didn't commit genocide.