Ideology conservatism countries want to acquire close relations with Islamists:

 

Ideology conservatism countries want to acquire close relations with Islamists:

Socialism cannot be in the parentheses like conservatism, but right now after the cold war socialism turns to conservatism, if you go back Swedish politicians who traveled to Iran then you can know that Swedish politicians sarcastic a real conservatism political in the middle east especially with the ayatollahs .

Sweden after the Koran burnings and the world's reactions to Sweden, has investigated and Swedish politicians have turned to the British older conservatism political role play.

And just when the Swedes have completely changed their political role games that were against the Islamists and extremists, right now Sweden wants to acquire friendly relations with Islamists such as ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbullah and other Shia Muslim radicals.

What is conservatism?

There are three major political ideologies: conservatism, liberalism and socialism.

  The name conservatism roughly means that it is the "political ideology of conservation". It's the same word as can. But the fact that conservatism wants to preserve does not mean that it is against change. Conservatives strongly believe in development - but they believe that development must build on what worked well in the past. Changing just for the sake of changing is not the same as building on. Conservatism wants to drive forward with an occasional look in the rearview mirror.

British conservatism in the Middle East and cooperation with Islamists and organized Islamic radicals for their political interests in the area.

Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology, which seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in which it appears.

Conservatism arose in opposition to the French Revolution of 1789 and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The founder of conservatism is Edmund Burke. But Burke did not invent conservatism himself, but pieced together philosophy from both the Middle Ages and the ancient Greeks. There have probably always been conservatives – even if they themselves don't always know they are conservatives, or for that matter have heard of Edmund Burke. The conservative attitude and the kind of conservative outlook that Burke gave expression to is found quite naturally in many people. But it is not so simple that it can be described with just one word or a short sentence.

Many people think that conservatives just say no to everything. Conservatism is against much of what liberalism and socialism stand for, but not just for the sake of being against.

Conservatism wants in a different direction of development than both liberalism and socialism, and liberals and socialists say no to conservative proposals as much as conservatives say no to the proposals of liberals and socialists.

More than other ideologies, conservatism is based on values instead of ideas – values that create meaning in people's lives and that are not just about money.

  In different countries, people have different ideas about what is more or less valuable and meaningful. Conservatism wants to protect and develop such values, and for that it is necessary both that people act morally and take personal responsibility, and that there is a strong but small state that maintains order in society. Related to this, conservatives want their own country to have a strong military defense and an effective police force, and a school that educates everyone to become independent people.

A free society with security and culture

All people are different according to conservatism, and this is seen as something good and fine. Conservatism also believes that no human being is perfect, and that we are all a mixture of good and evil within us. But all people also always have the opportunity to choose between good and evil. The bully, like the criminal, is, according to conservatism, a worse person than the victim because he/she chooses evil at the same time as he/she often knows exactly what is good and evil and why one should choose good.

For the conservatives, community is also very important.

Well-functioning families and neighborhoods where people care about each other are at least as important as everyone speaking the same language and having certain holidays and traditions that the absolute majority of society celebrates and pays attention to. Conservatives believe that by having a community together where everyone has roughly the same idea of what is good and bad, right and wrong, we can all live in peace and freedom and help make society better together.

Conservatism strives for a society where people can live in freedom together, without the state needing to rule. And where honest, responsible citizens know that they are protected and that the dishonest and irresponsible are held back, while those who are more talented and who take a greater responsibility than others are rewarded. In a conservative society, all citizens are equal before the law, and men and women are paid based on how talented and successful they are - not based on their gender.

Conservatism wants a social safety net – i.e. a tax-financed welfare state – but not for everyone but only for the weakest. Conservatism also wants low taxes for all businesses and workers. It should pay to work and do the right thing.

Conservatives want a large civil society, with strong families and where people are members of associations, start bands together, and have time to learn to bake grandma's bun recipe. In this way, culture lives and flourishes in society, and creates community across generations. The best of each age lives on and inspires future generations and creates meaning in their lives. This gives an understanding that everything is not just about money. Grandma's buns are probably better than the best and most expensive bun you can find out in town. How can it be so? These are the things that conservatives care about, and it is the possibility of allowing some of the old to live on in the new that conservatives defend.

Why change what has existed for a long time?

Nothing is good just because it is new, thinks the conservative - and at the same time is happy about some old things that are at home and that you can visit elsewhere. The conservative defends not only his own culture but the right of all peoples to their culture and the right to be proud of who they are and where they come from.

Why change something that works well? Or something that has been around for quite some time? That makes the conservative wonder. To remove or destroy something just because it is old, the conservatives think is wrong. On the contrary, conservatives believe that what has been around for a long time is probably worth preserving for that very reason. The most valuable things that exist, according to the conservatives, are those that have been around for many generations. Building our common society on what has become permanent and seeing social development as a cycle, as well as being careful when changing and influencing other people, is conservatism's path to a better future.

Rising identity politics challenges conservative ideology

Thomas Cranmer
Auckland, April 1, 2023

In recent years, New Zealand has witnessed a significant rise in identity politics, which poses a considerable challenge to conservative ideology.

Identity politics is a political framework that prioritises the experiences, perspectives, and concerns of marginalised groups, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others.

This framework is in contrast to conservative ideology, which values individualism and traditional social structures.

The rise of identity politics in New Zealand is not surprising, given the country’s increasingly diverse population and its growing significance overseas.

Fear of divisive policies

New Zealand has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world, and this has contributed to the country’s rich cultural heritage.

However, the main concerns from the right about identity politics are that it promotes division, intolerance, and victimhood culture.

Conservatives argue that identity politics focuses too much on group identities and not enough on individual merit and personal responsibility. They believe that identity politics promotes a culture of victimhood where individuals blame their problems on systemic discrimination or oppression rather than taking personal responsibility for their actions.

Additionally, the prevailing thought is that identity politics creates divisions within society by encouraging individuals to see themselves primarily as members of a particular group rather than as part of a broader national community.

Conservatives believe that this promotes intolerance and tribalism, rather than promoting a shared sense of national identity.

Political Correctness goes wrong

Conservatives also criticise identity politics for promoting political correctness, which they believe stifles free speech and open debate. They believe that identity politics encourages individuals to police language and behaviour to avoid causing offence, which can limit intellectual diversity and prevent the free exchange of ideas.

Finally, conservatives criticise identity politics for promoting a sense of entitlement among some groups, particularly in relation to affirmative action policies.

The prevailing view is that affirmative action policies, which aim to address historical discrimination and promote diversity, unfairly advantage certain groups at the expense of others, and can lead to reverse discrimination.

Parties on the right generally take a critical stance towards identity politics, with a focus on individualism and personal responsibility.

These parties have criticised the Labour government’s focus on diversity and inclusion, arguing that it risks creating divisions within society and promoting a culture of entitlement. Instead, they have emphasised the importance of promoting individualism, personal responsibility, and equal opportunity for all.

The stance of National, ACT

That being said, it is worth noting that the National Party and Act Party have not completely avoided the issue of identity politics. Both parties have acknowledged the importance of addressing historical injustices and promoting diversity and inclusion, but they argue that these goals should be achieved through policies that promote individual responsibility and equal opportunity, rather than group entitlements or quotas.

One of the most significant challenges that identity politics poses to conservatism is the way it challenges traditional notions of individualism.

Conservative ideology emphasises the importance of individual freedom and personal responsibility. However, identity politics highlights the ways in which our identities and experiences are shaped by broader social and cultural forces, and how these forces can limit our opportunities and constrain our choices.

For example, many on the left argue that the experiences of women and LGBTQ+ individuals are shaped by historical and cultural norms that they believe privilege men and heterosexuality. These norms can limit the opportunities available to these groups and make it harder for them to succeed on an equal footing with others.

Similarly, progressives argue that the experiences of ethnic and racial minorities in New Zealand are shaped by historical and cultural factors that have created systemic barriers to their success and inclusion.

The dangers of polarisation

Another challenge that identity politics poses to conservatism is the way it challenges traditional social structures. Conservative ideology values traditional family structures, gender roles, and social hierarchies. However, identity politics challenges these structures by highlighting their view that these can be oppressive and exclusionary.

The rise of identity politics in New Zealand has also led to political polarisation, as different groups vie for recognition and representation.

This polarisation has been particularly evident in the debates over immigration, where conservatives have often taken a firmer line, while identity politics advocates have emphasised the importance of diversity and inclusion.

An example of such polarisation is the reaction to the recent invitation sent to Dunedin City Councillors to meet with party political leader, Hannah Tamaki, wife of Destiny Church Founder, Brian Tamaki. The invitation was declined by all but one Councillor.

Councillor Steve Walker immediately sent the message to his junk folder, saying: “As I would with anybody who was anti-homosexual, anti-abortion, pro-conservative family values and all the nonsensical stuff they spout.”

This polarisation has created significant challenges for society as we seek to find a way to reconcile the conservative emphasis on individualism and traditional social structures with the growing demand for recognition and representation by marginalised groups.

The intersectionality connection

Closely linked to identity politics is intersectionality.

Conservative criticisms of intersectionality often focus on the perceived negative consequences of the approach. Intersectionality is a framework that acknowledges that people experience oppression and privilege in different ways based on the various social identities they hold, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

One common conservative critique is that intersectionality promotes identity politics, which leads to the fragmentation of society by emphasizing differences rather than commonalities. They argue that this fragmentation results in social divisiveness and impedes progress towards a more unified society.

Conservatives also contend that intersectionality fosters victim hood culture by encouraging people to view themselves as victims of various forms of oppression. This, they argue, leads to a culture of grievance and entitlement, which is not conducive to personal responsibility or the promotion of a healthy society.

Moreover, conservatives say that intersectionality priorities group identity over individual merit and achievement, leading to policies that promote reverse discrimination or favoritism towards certain groups. They believe that merit and achievement should be the only factors considered in decisions regarding employment, education, and other areas of life.

The right and left to the core

The rise of identity politics and intersectionality in New Zealand poses a significant challenge to conservative ideology. It has, until now, been largely promoted by politically active groups on the left but its effects are now being felt by the public in many spheres of life.

Increasingly, right-leaning parties will need to address these issues in a more direct manner and articulate the dangers that this movement poses or they will continue to yield ground to the louder, more militant voices of identity political proponents on the left.

Thomas Cranmer is a lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in many of the biggest law firms in the world. He divides his time between the UK and New Zealand. He writes on Sub stack exploring issues facing New Zealand under his nom du plume, Cranmer. The above article, which appeared in The Common Room, has been reproduced under a Special Agreement.