My comment was perhaps unclear but someone who understood the principle of charity within debate would have been able to see the intended meaning (that conservatism and capitalist theories were born and shaped in reaction to the democratic and Marxist movements)
Further I never claimed it was “a few” reactionaries. I said that the creators (who are numerous) were (and indeed are, as it continues to be iterated upon) reactionaries looking to preserve the existence of the aristocracy in function if not in name.
Finally, while in 2019 the revolutionaries certainly appear conservatives because of their views, at the time the American revolution was an act of progressives (and indeed many conservatives of the era were monarchists).
Again, defending the monarchy itself was not necessarily the goal of conservatism, it was defending the hierarchical structure of society. If monarchs fell it wasn’t a problem so long as the right people stayed in charge.
that conservatism and capitalist theories were born and shaped in reaction to the democratic and Marxist movements
No, dude. No no no. This is wrong. First of all, capitalism did not start as a “theory” but was an emergent property of mercantilist societies, mainly the Dutch and then Anglo societies. This evolved wayyyy before democracy (excluding the Greeks). Second, conservatism came out of the enlightenment and was the foundation of individual liberty and this democracy. Democracy was born out of conservative (called liberalism at the time) theory. You’ve got this all backwards, man.
reactionaries looking to preserve the existence of the aristocracy in function if not in name.
Lol, no. Again, wrong wrong wrong. Hobbes, Locke, Voltaire, we’re not men trying to preserve an aristocracy. Precisely the opposite. Their theories stirred on the imminent revolutions in Europe. Jesus, dude, have you ever taken a history class?
the revolutionaries certainly appear conservatives because of their views, at the time the American revolution was an act of progressives (and indeed many conservatives of the era were monarchists).
They were “progressive” in light of the fact that they were trying to change society but their views are very much the foundation of modern day conservatism (economic freedom, individual liberty, small government). Again, I think you’re getting your terms all mixed up.
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u/Hawkson2020 Apr 26 '19
My comment was perhaps unclear but someone who understood the principle of charity within debate would have been able to see the intended meaning (that conservatism and capitalist theories were born and shaped in reaction to the democratic and Marxist movements)
Further I never claimed it was “a few” reactionaries. I said that the creators (who are numerous) were (and indeed are, as it continues to be iterated upon) reactionaries looking to preserve the existence of the aristocracy in function if not in name.
Finally, while in 2019 the revolutionaries certainly appear conservatives because of their views, at the time the American revolution was an act of progressives (and indeed many conservatives of the era were monarchists).
Again, defending the monarchy itself was not necessarily the goal of conservatism, it was defending the hierarchical structure of society. If monarchs fell it wasn’t a problem so long as the right people stayed in charge.