We must end Conservativism. This realization began for me when Reagan, Thatcher, and Mulroney were thrust into power by the filthy rich (aka Big Money and Big Lies). The wake of Conservative policies' is destruction; the poverty of wealth streaming upwards, leaving millions impoverished; pollution on a scale that imperils the very existence of life on dear Mother earth; hatred of others; and the subjugation of women by denying them control over their own bodies.
It's great to have a vision of a better place, an ideal society, or even Utopia. Any progress towards it helps millions. All progress begins from the situation that is the present reality. Democracy is a path, authoritarianism is a road block, to your better world.
Just a thought but perhaps Conservatism has been Fascism all along and Fascism just a return to Feudalism. Whatever the names, X, Y, or Z the point, for me, is that their goal is to subjugate the masses to rule over them, to varying degrees, kings, masters, lords over serfs, slaves, or peasants that serve them. In its ideal form, Democracy is the opposite, relationships of leaders and public servants to the others, where no one rules.
@philip_cardella@soc_i_ety I don't think it's meaningful to redefine conservatism in a way that excludes Reagan, especially when you look at the history of conservatism as a reaction to and rejection of classical liberalism, it cannot be separated from things like reaganism.
May we all run away from "authoritarian" regimes that call themselves socialist, even believe it, but that actually run a nomenclature, a clique privilileging state rulers.
There may be conservative elements in a current center-left party, but this does not make it conservative.
May Conservatism meet its ugly soul, such that the next generation ignores it to the point of its demise. Two parties can evolve from what's left, the left.
@philip_cardella@soc_i_ety the thesis is that the reactionary right IS conservatism, and even the polite pretenders one can trot out are in fact in league with the Birchers and comfortable with the fascists