I've never followed politics my whole life..no idea what a liberal/conservative is.

[Rukh]

Yes but not because you don't know terms.

I know what you did last summer.

[Deleted]

Liberal meaning to be open and embracing of change and progress. Conservative meaning to conserve and keep things status quo, meaning traditions and whatever else.

Or rather, that's what they claim to be. Liberals especially tend to have very peculiar ideas of what change and progress should involve. In the past, every "progressive liberal" waved red flags for socialism and the Soviet Union, a totalitarian dictatorship; today, every "progressive liberal" worships Islam, an oppressive religion straight from the dark ages. Whether that's progressive or not... well, that's up to you to decide. In any case, there tends to be a considerable conflict between the nice-sounding values that these so-called liberals claim to represent, and what kind of values their actions actually promote.

Majority of the people, of course, tends to take the middle way; being liberal in some things, and conservative in others -- whichever common sense dictates to be the most reasonable course of action in the situation. Political liberals, on the other hand, tend to be very black-and-white; if you don't share their views in everything, you are against them. Reason and common sense are secondary to ideological dogmas that dictate how you must think about certain issues. You meet far less of such attitudes among conservatives, unless you are dealing with religious creationists or stuff like that.

Of course, I'm speaking from an European point of view. I can't claim to know all nuances of U.S. politics, although certain rules of thumb seem to apply in both.

[breadisfunny]

ask zombergy,mmomaths,vyxn,espe ellieg,hammerfest,wells,didactic, what a liberal/conservative is.

[kail]

You're only a terrible person if you don't vote.

If Jayburner did not vote and is aware that he/she knows little of politics, that equates to a good person in my book. Don't vote if you don't know the candidates.

[Merkava]

I don't think being ignorant has much to do with being a good person or a bad person. It probably doesn't say great things about your intellect though.

I don't know if that's entirely accurate. I remember hearing Feynman say that things like the humanities held absolutely no interest for him when he was younger. He knew what was important to him, and what he wanted to do, and anything that wasn't science or math related was a waste of time.

Edit - I see your later post that clarified your statement, and I get your point a little better, I just think it's risky to make generalizations.

[TheGreatestWaffle]

The question is already answered.

Liberals generally want change, and embrace new things/ideas.

Conservatives want either slow or no change.

Wow, that was quite a vid thanks for linking.

[Cosmic Janitor]

Depends on ones age...
In your teens? Not surprising, but alarming.
In your twenties? Urgh.. you are probably not very smart.
In your thirties? Are you living in a civilized country that has this system? Are you sure?
In your forties? How do you manage to tie your shoes?
In your fifties? How do you manage to breath without help?
In your sixties? Oh god I hope you never bred!
In your seventies? Oh you have dementia/severe cerebral damage? Ah that explains a lot!
In your eighties? I pity you & all the above.
In your nineties? I guess the times were different then.. also that WW2 bullet in your head.
In your hundreds? Kinda jelly how a moron came to be so old.

As time goes on and one is exposed to reality, there are some things that just become incredibly unlikely to have never heard of. Just by exposure to the system the overwhelming majority would have gotten a grasp on the system they live in sooner than later. After a while there is definitely an underlying problem.

[Austilias]

Having a general disinterest in some topics (such as politics, history, and science) is also generally an indictment of someone's intellect.

On the contrary, there are times when knowledge can lead to apathy; which I'd say is closer to 'disinterest' than 'ignorance', as disinterest and apathy generally require some knowledge of the thing you are dismissing. Ignorance is simply not knowing something to begin with.

[Barnabas]

Am I terrible person?

There really is not much of a difference. They both push the pro imperialist agenda and vale it behind lies and deceit.

[Anonymous1038853]

Just to help dispel some of the semantical debate on the first page: Intellect is often used to reference an individual's capacity to learn some abstract concept, whereas knowledge is frequently used to reference an individual's internal collection of facts or concepts. Not knowing something does not negatively reflect on a person's intellect, it reflects on their understanding. That is to say, lacking knowledge of something doesn't make one unintelligent, in much the same way that knowing something does not make one intelligent. The concepts are almost entirely unrelated, save for high intellect better facilitating a more rapid accumulation of knowledge. Interest is also entirely distinct, and I personally think it's super conceited to assume that anyone who doesn't immediately share your interests is necessarily less intelligent.

Anyway, not knowing something doesn't really make you a bad person, OP. If it did, pretty much everyone would be horrible monsters and the conclusion would become moot anyway (ie: Bad compared to what). I also think that, in particular, this ignorance isn't really a problem. Liberal and conservative are really just group labels, and I find that that a central focus here doesn't facilitate a very deep or nuanced political worldview. It's such a meaningless fact, in the scope of politics and underlying philosophy. If you want to get involved in politics, don't let your understanding of these terms dictate how to study. Because one of the biggest issues in politics is partisan thought, and echo chambers. In my opinion, anyway. It's precisely why these labels are far more common than the stances they actually represent.

Because personally? If you go by the dictionary definition of liberalism and conservatism, I advocate both. I believe that radical societal changes should be carefully scrutinized, to ensure that they are in-fact morally and logically sound. In tandem with this, I advocate personal liberty and feel that the freedom to express and encourage new ideas is fundamental to the growth of society. I think that if one adopts either without consideration to the other, they've set themselves up for failure from the onset. From that, you get such stellar arguments as "Because it's the current year," or "Next they'll be legalizing pedophillia!" But, as is often the case, the dictionary definition is of minimal relevance to complicated subjects like politics. Read the ideas, not the terms (Which is why I linked wikipedia rather than the dictionary).

[Mitters]

Politics is something I don't give a fuck about and never will, I have a slight idea of what happens but I don't vote. 1 vote does not make a difference and no matter who wins, everything will end up the same anyway.

[May90]

I think, politics is one of those things everyone talks about, but no one really understands. You aren't losing much by not following elections, world events and such - although not even knowing what liberal/conservative is is a bit on the ignorant side. You can just google these words, if you want to know the meaning.

[Doctor Amadeus]

Or rather, that's what they claim to be. Liberals especially tend to have very peculiar ideas of what change and progress should involve. In the past, every "progressive liberal" waved red flags for socialism and the Soviet Union, a totalitarian dictatorship; today, every "progressive liberal" worships Islam, an oppressive religion straight from the dark ages. Whether that's progressive or not... well, that's up to you to decide. In any case, there tends to be a considerable conflict between the nice-sounding values that these so-called liberals claim to represent, and what kind of values their actions actually promote.

Majority of the people, of course, tends to take the middle way; being liberal in some things, and conservative in others -- whichever common sense dictates to be the most reasonable course of action in the situation. Political liberals, on the other hand, tend to be very black-and-white; if you don't share their views in everything, you are against them. Reason and common sense are secondary to ideological dogmas that dictate how you must think about certain issues. You meet far less of such attitudes among conservatives, unless you are dealing with religious creationists or stuff like that.

Of course, I'm speaking from an European point of view. I can't claim to know all nuances of U.S. politics, although certain rules of thumb seem to apply in both.

Well it doesn't matter what people claim. What I said about what liberal and conservative means are by deffinition what of what they are. However people being people just because some agree on a general direction it doesn't mean there arent wide variations within that.

I'm a liberal because my views are in line with liberal values. My personal methods on the other hand and how I feel vary greatly from other liberals. Which in a sense can make other liberals as far from like me as conservatives.

As for Muslims, well I'm Protestant Christian at my very core I find Islam an insult by the very denial of some of my theological beliefs. The same is true of them and many other faiths. The same is true for my social beliefs such as support for Feminism and the LBGTQ community.

So you see I'm kind of fret with a lot of contradictions both in what I believe and where I stand. When it comes right down to it there comes a point where as an adult I have to make choice of who I support sometimes against what I believe.

And right now despite my personal conflicts I'm well aware enough to recognize that Muslims are being painted as a scapegoat for all the problem of the world right now.

By not honestly speaking up when I see a bullshit thing happening to people I don't like, I realise that at some point I or someone I love can be next.

If a crticism of Islam or any belief system is made I won't defend it. But if I see shit being made up by typical sort then really is no difference between radical white nationalist and Islam. Neither are a friend to me, but an attack on Islam just as well could be an attack on anybody not white or even liberal.

So feel free to think of that as turning a blind eye to the so called truth being sold about all Muslims. Yes I'm aware of where I disagree, but no I'm not about to play attack on Muslims for any white supremist.

Especially ones who only ever conveniently give a shit about rape or racism when it's only white people or Christians and sometimes Jewish people that are victims.

The enemy of my enemy isn't my friend nor are they on my side.


But hey maybe other liberals feel differently I don't know.

As for me personally the only time I would speak out for Islam or anybody else I don't agree with is if it benifets those I care about. Other liberals regardless to their race, sex or orientation.

[Fencers]

Am I terrible person?

I would consider it so if one was an adult. Ignorance of the political process and history as an adult is not respectable.

[Grummgug]

Its ok. There are people who follow it their entire lives and still don't know what they are.

- - - Updated - - -

I think, politics is one of those things everyone talks about, but no one really understands. You aren't losing much by not following elections, world events and such - although not even knowing what liberal/conservative is is a bit on the ignorant side. You can just google these words, if you want to know the meaning.

You can't just google it because the meanings are disputed.

[Deleted]

Good on you, better keep it that way.

[Deleted]

Not bothering to learn about something that impacts your life as an adult does reflect your intellect. Somewhere in childhood you should learn some basics and keep growing your knowledge from there. If you are going to go through life with your head down and never wonder why things are the way they are or how they happen you are kinda an idiot.

Not really. Bothering about politics has lesser impact on your life compared to focusing on your merit or real life skills. If someone lives in a shit hole with shitty politics, all it takes is to look at the direction which technology or work market takes, learn the appropirate trade and evacuate to a proper 1st world country. Chances are that the richest countries or those who have proper social classes have good enough politics to allow you to prosper based on your merit.

Right now we have an entire planet worth of places to choose and settle for. Nobody said anyone has to be stuck where they were born.
I didnt bothered to learn how polish politics work but focused on getting a good job and moving to a proper 1st country. Now I have a better life in UK than I ever would've had in Poland regardless if I knew how its politics work.

[Deleted]

I don't think being ignorant has much to do with being a good person or a bad person. It probably doesn't say great things about your intellect though.

Being ignorant can lead to happiness. I stopped care for world news a couple of years ago...I got sick of reading about bombings, mass murder, slavery and rape. Which is what the news is filled with for 50% at the very minimum.

- - - Updated - - -

I would consider it so if one was an adult. Ignorance of the political process and history as an adult is not respectable.

History past the last 50 years is worthless, the only thing you can learn from history is how to abuse your enemies weakness and to exploit it. Perfect example, terrorism nowadays.

[Alydael]

Find the op hard to believe, even people I know that don't vote and have no interest in politics know the terms.

I would say, if you ask 100 people, you will probably get 100 different answers and that the answer would vary depending on your location. They are just labels and labels are limited and do not truly represent what they are attached to. Instead of asking if someone if they are a lib or a pub, I would ask them what their main issues are and how they feel about them.

For me, I think government is corrupt, so I like limited government taking less tax dollars (I am fine fending for myself, I don't need a "big brother"). I am also somewhat isolationist, feeling that being involved in the world will probably just cause you a lot of trouble.... I think that limiting big gov't would probably put me more towards the conservative side of the labels, although I don't know how the isolationist part would affect that.

People's world views are a lot more complicated than two labels, but the media and politicians like to use them because it simplifies things (and it is lazy).

[Spectral]

You're only a terrible person if you don't vote.

There's nothing wrong with an uninformed person doing the right thing and not casting an uninformed vote. We'd be better off if the ignorant kept their ideas to themselves.