4 ms·

The denotation of the words progressive/conservative in isolation is as you say, but in a political context, the meaning can be 180 degrees from denotation. It

by cmurf 9y ago

The denotation of the words progressive/conservative in isolation is as you say, but in a political context, the meaning can be 180 degrees from denotation. It is typical words are selected as half truths and outright propaganda. And I think you're avoiding complex social origins, culture, era and the inherent contradictions within all organizations (and people, by extention). e.g. Democratic People's Republic of Korea is certainly not in any meaningful way democratic, it is a hereditary dictatorship. The former German Democratic Republic likewise was in no meaningful way democratic or a republic. The words socialist and socialism are likewise commonly usurped to impugn or to attract; they are signals that work or don't work based on time, geography, culture, history, neighbors. It's an exercise in anti-denotation, and appeal to emotion, and it is strategic.

dogma1138 9y ago
This is exactly why it’s important because words do have a meaning. Calling the left at large liberal when today significant portion of it could not be further from it is something that needs to be called out. Having a comparison which says “Democratic” vs “Conservatives” is also harmful as you now paint one side as authoritarian. I want to have clear definitions and for words to have meaning specifically to avoid any confusion in regards to the issues you have mentioned and many more. If we take the the US an example I think you would want to make a distinction between civil war republicans and those of today just as you would want to make a distinction between the democrats that institutionalized racial segregation through Jim Crow and those of today. So I do not believe I’m avoiding anything I’m just not picking and choosing based on what would benefit my agenda. Identify politics is poison in general and if we must resort to it in since casss we must make sure that we use the clearest definitions possible and use them correctly.

by cmurf 9y ago

dogma1138 9y ago

This is exactly why it’s important because words do have a meaning. Calling the left at large liberal when today significant portion of it could not be further from it is something that needs to be called out. Having a comparison which says “Democratic” vs “Conservatives” is also harmful as you now paint one side as authoritarian. I want to have clear definitions and for words to have meaning specifically to avoid any confusion in regards to the issues you have mentioned and many more. If we take the the US an example I think you would want to make a distinction between civil war republicans and those of today just as you would want to make a distinction between the democrats that institutionalized racial segregation through Jim Crow and those of today. So I do not believe I’m avoiding anything I’m just not picking and choosing based on what would benefit my agenda. Identify politics is poison in general and if we must resort to it in since casss we must make sure that we use the clearest definitions possible and use them correctly.