Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The problem with this liberal vs. conservative idea is that it is so one-dimensional that it's painfully hard to endure when someone defines themself as strictly one or the other. It's like choosing a political cookie cutter. 'I don't want to come to my own conclusion about this issue, what's the approved preconceived stance according to the liberal/conservative handbook?'
There are totally different approaches to everything on both continents. It just so happens that Europe's approaches often tend to be far more to the left of what occurs in the USA.
One thing that surprises me a lot, is how many Americans absolutely REFUSE the idea of the US having free college education and free health care, and many think that alone would turn the US into a socialist commie nation!
I think Education and healthcare are the backbone of a nation, you lack those and you're in trouble!!!
In fact, in some cases, it's more right-winged than USA. For example, many Brits think that the government should have stricter control of immigration. Many people here, US, think that if your against immigration, you are racist. Another thing is that maybe Christianity is decreasing in Western Europe...but Christianity is getting popular in Russia, Hungary, and Croatia according to the website below. US isn't the only place where we have plain people like Amish...Europe still has Dutch Calvinists, Scandinavian Laestadians, British Brethrens and ect.
If you compare North America and Europe, the opinions about gay marriage is the same. 50% of people in both continents support gay marriage. I know that Europe is moderately liberal...but I think the media makes it look like extreme left-wingers...which is not true!
I don’t think European Union is more conservative than United States. It is the complete opposite. Parties which would be considered conservative within the Republican Party are designated as “far-right” by the political, academic and media establishment in Europe. United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) would actually fit pretty well within the US Democratic Party. If you look at Eastern Europe you will find that mainstream parties on “the right” are significantly more conservative than in Western Europe. Europe has all kind of different establishment-skeptic parties which are designed to appeal their voters within their own countries. In some countries they have a significant impact on policy like or little influence to no influence.
In Western Europe they can have all kind of political foundation like libertarianism (UKIP in UK and Progress Party in Norway), conservatism (Swedish Democrats and Danish Peoples Party) nationalism (Front National in France), Contra-Jihadism (Dutch Freedom Party), Populism (Five Star Movement), Separatism (Vlaams Belang), Euro-skepticism (Alternative for Germany) and Nazism (Golden Dawn) but there core issue is to halt or lower immigration from non-western countries and end multiculturalism as a political ideology. Some of these parties have a racialist ideology like Golden Dawn and others like Alternative for Germany and Five Star Movement is not racialists at all. Lega Nord (Separatist and critical of uncontrolled immigration) are often described as “far-right” and “racist” by mainstream media outside Italy. The first non-white mayor in Italy was actually a member of Lega Nord. It is a mixed bag.
In Eastern Europe there is little opposition to immigration because these countries are leaking people. Instead the right-wing anti-establishment parties are in opposition to political institutions, corruptions, other countries and in part historical ethnic groups within their country which they see as a threat. The only real dangerous political party on the right in the European Union is Golden Dawn. It is because they use violent methods to gain political power. Although, it should be mentioned that the entire Greece is just a mess and the Greek establishment are also criminals.
There is a growing rift between Northern Europe, which is very wealthy, and Southern and Eastern Europe which is significantly poorer. It is in part about economics but also in part about free movement. Personally, I don’t think the European Union has so much future when United Kingdom leaves within ten years. The Euroscepticism in Germany is also rapidly growing through Alternative for Germany. In Sweden, Finland and Denmark seem to have had enough with the European Union. I think that within twenty years the current political elites will be heavily reduced and replaced by these anti-establishment parties on the right and left.
Conservatism in Europe IS VERY different from conservatism in the US and liberalism in Europe is VERY different from liberalism in the US!!!!
I 100% agree that right-wing is totally different on each respective continent. Particularly with the gun culture that conservatives in the States tie their values around.
However, I'd argue the liberals are quite similar. I don't see the politics of San Francisco being THAT different from Amsterdam, for example. Gay rights, pro-environment, anti-corporation, etc.
There are totally different approaches to everything on both continents.
This.
Mandatory military service would be the equivalent of Stalinist forced labour in the US, but here it's probably one of the more conservative policies, whereas Socialists/Greens/... want to get rid of it.
In fact, in some cases, it's more right-winged than USA. For example, many Brits think that the government should have stricter control of immigration. Many people here, US, think that if your against immigration, you are racist. Another thing is that maybe Christianity is decreasing in Western Europe...but Christianity is getting popular in Russia, Hungary, and Croatia according to the website below. US isn't the only place where we have plain people like Amish...Europe still has Dutch Calvinists, Scandinavian Laestadians, British Brethrens and ect.
If you compare North America and Europe, the opinions about gay marriage is the same. 50% of people in both continents support gay marriage. I know that Europe is moderately liberal...but I think the media makes it look like extreme left-wingers...which is not true!
Yet America has very strict immigration laws, much stricter than most European countries.
Every country has it's own laws so there's places like Netherlands, which is ultra liberal. Then eastern and southern you go to in example Romania, it's much more conservativ.
I don’t think European Union is more conservative than United States. It is the complete opposite. Parties which would be considered conservative within the Republican Party are designated as “far-right” by the political, academic and media establishment in Europe. United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) would actually fit pretty well within the US Democratic Party. If you look at Eastern Europe you will find that mainstream parties on “the right” are significantly more conservative than in Western Europe. Europe has all kind of different establishment-skeptic parties which are designed to appeal their voters within their own countries. In some countries they have a significant impact on policy like or little influence to no influence.
I would say that some members of the EPP would fit into the more conservative wing of the US Democratic Party, but certainly not those European parties that are considered "far-right". I don't even see how Fidesz could fit into the USDP and they aren't considered far-right by any standard.
Also, I disagree that UKIP would fit into the Democratic Party, nor would I consider them libertarian, classical liberal or non-interventionist in the broader sense.
Does any country have a better higher education system than the US? Why radically change something that isn't broke?
just about every country in the developed world and half the countries on the developing world these days have populations with better access to education and healthcare.
America might have the top technology but its only accesible to the wealthy, so are america's finest universities.... dear God even the average college these days are too expensive for the average american!!!!
Yeah, but by allowing hate speech, the personal freedom of others would be infringed. And quite frankly, I value the freedom to live a life without being hassled night and day by certain far-right fringe groups more dearly than being free to insult and wager unreasonable hate against other groups.
How does it infringe on the right of others? Don't read or listen views that are offensive if it bothers you.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.