My hypothesis is that progressives, conservatives, and libertarians view politics along three different axes. For progressives, the main axis has oppressors at one end and the oppressed at the other. For conservatives, the main axis has civilization at one end and barbarism at the other. For libertarians, the main axis has coercion at one end and free choice at the other.
I used to think I was good with:
- Progressive: Protect the weak.
- Conservative: Maintain what's good.
- Libertarian: Don't coerce folks.
However, Kling address the fundamental core better:
- Progressive: Oppressed/Oppressing
- this is a far better framing than just "weak"
- Conservative: Civilized/Barbaric
- this is so much more accurate than mine in terms of how folks actually think. It also properly places reactionaries as arch-conservatives.
- Libertarian: Free/Coerced
- this has been solid for years
But then, he also addresses how one ought to respond to this, not just tactically but epistemically:
When arguing with a progressive, start by saying, “It is sometimes appropriate to view particular classes of people as oppressors and other classes as oppressed.”
When arguing with a conservative, start by saying, “It is sometimes appropriate to view particular practices as barbaric and to view tradition and authority as protecting civilization.”
When arguing with a libertarian, start by saying, “It is sometimes appropriate to view particular policies as coercion.”RTWT
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2 comments:
"Protect civilization from barbarism" definitely seems to be more accurate than "protect the current good from change". It's more accurate cladistics, anyway; I've no idea whether it's a better or worse philosophy.
But before moving from "protect the weak" to "protect the oppressed", could you come up with any instances where progressives generally lobby for the protection of a stronger oppressee against a weaker oppressor? To the contrary, I'd say your original view is currently baked into popular progressive thought: "racism equals prejudice plus power", for example.
I my experience, EVERYONE wants to fight the powerful oppressors.
Liberals see themselves and others oppressed by powerful corporations and the rich. They turn to government to fight back.
Conservatives seem themselves and others as oppressed by government and non-government forces alike who seek to destroy the only existing socio-economic-cultural system that has ever even come close to working. They turn to the conservative levers of government and the conservative side of business to fight back.
Libertarians see themselves and others oppressed by government and government supported powerful corporations. They don't seem to have worked out a way to fight back.
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