Is social democracy essentially conservative? (At least with a small 'c')

[The Lawspeaker]

The problem is both on the Left and the Right there are too many people who wish to throw out babies with the bathwater, without realising the aspects of capitalism in the former's case and socialism (or rather social democracy) in the latter's case that are actually beneficial and even conducive to their own supposed beliefs.

It is high time someone stood up and proclaimed that social democracy is ultimately the best system for people of ALL backgrounds and ACROSS the political spectrum. (I too dislike the type of left-wing thinking which revolves around privileging supposedly 'victim' groups over supposedly 'oppressor' groups). The whole point about social democracy is that it accepts that there are going to be differences in wealth and success between people, but that they mustn't reach such an extreme and debilitating extent and that, at the end of the day, a comprehensive system of public services and welfare is for EVERYONE's benefit.

Sorry but I disagree with the all backgrounds part. The nation is a community - and the last thing we need is are open borders and multiculturalism. It's either open borders and multiculturalism OR social democracy.

[Tooting Carmen]

Sorry but I disagree with the all backgrounds part. The nation is a community - and the last thing we need is are open borders and multiculturalism. It's either open borders and multiculturalism OR social democracy.

I mainly meant social classes, although a little immigration and ethnic diversity isn't the end of the world (of course nothing like the scale of places like London, Birmingham, Paris or Marseille).

[The Lawspeaker]

I mainly meant social classes, although a little immigration and ethnic diversity isn't the end of the world (of course nothing like the scale of places like London, Birmingham, Paris or Marseille).

I am very strict there because if you give the pro-immigration crowd an inch - they will take a mile and within ten years we'll be back at where we are now. I actually think they should be closed and the only migration is either from fellow EU-countries or marriage migration.

[Tooting Carmen]

I am very strict there because if you give the pro-immigration crowd an inch - they will take a mile and within ten years we'll be back at where we are now. I actually think they should be closed and the only migration is either from fellow EU-countries or marriage migration.

I understand your sentiments, but at the end of the day even Japan and South Korea have a little immigration, though not even Tokyo or Seoul have the percentage running into double digits. People will move around the world for various reasons for good and for ill, and some sectors of the economy may require foreigners at least in the short term - the thing is that for many people in the West across the political spectrum, 'diversity' is an end in itself and has got out of hand.

[The Lawspeaker]

I understand your sentiments, but at the end of the day even Japan and South Korea have a little immigration, though not even Tokyo or Seoul have the percentage running into double digits. People will move around the world for various reasons for good and for ill, and some sectors of the economy may require foreigners at least in the short term - the thing is that for many people in the West across the political spectrum, 'diversity' is an end in itself and has got out of hand.

I'd say that only being strict works.

[Tooting Carmen]

An interesting article by George Monbiot: https://www.monbiot.com/2017/05/09/t...ructive-party/

[Teutone]

To me a conservative believes in self responsibility and a class society as natural outcome. Equality of opportunity and never equality of outcome. It never comes into my mind to care about another mans pocket unless his money source is welfare or a job not located in the free market.

[Tooting Carmen]

To me a conservative believes in self responsibility and a class society as natural outcome. Equality of opportunity and never equality of outcome. It never comes into my mind to care about another mans pocket unless his money source is welfare or a job not located in the free market.

Yes, but there is also the communitarian and folkish strain of conservatism which, at least in theory, lends itself quite well to certain types of social democracy IMO.

[Teutone]

Yes, but there is also the communitarian and folkish strain of conservatism which, at least in theory, lends itself quite well to certain types of social democracy IMO.

They haven proven in the 3.Reich that they failed to finance the welfare state they aimed for and later based it on forced labour, stealing resources, killing millions. Pretty much like communists.

[Tooting Carmen]

They haven proven in the 3.Reich that they failed to finance the welfare state they aimed for and later based it on forced labour, stealing resources, killing millions. Pretty much like communists.

Did you actually read the thread and the arguments both The Lawspeaker and I made?