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This is probably impossible to answer, because you need to define "liberal". You've sort of done that, but it's not always black or white. There's a lot of grey.
An interesting factor is how liberalism and conservatism seem to ebb and flow in Western countries. We've had 10 years dominated by a Conservative government in Canada, and that has a broader cultural impact. Now we have a Liberal government, and there will be changes to laws, government spending, government programs and priorities...again, that will have a broader cultural impact.
In some ways, Canada is more conservative now than it was 15 years ago. In another few years, we might look back and say it's become more liberal once again. Ebb and flow.
My ebb and flow theory probably has a lot of holes in it too, but the tug-of-war between left and right does exist to some extent. That's a simple way for people to try to understand cultural developments.
I've never been to Australia so I can't say for sure. I think Canada has such a liberal reputation in the U.S. for three reasons:
medicare system
a major federal political party that's socialist (NDP)
Montreal
There are actually a substantial number of conservatives... some more moderate, some more die-hard. Our conservatives do tend to look quite mild compared to Republicans, however. Tories here tend to drink tea, not throw it into the harbour.
So no, I'm just looking for a place where real liberals live, and not people who think they are, but actually aren't. Probably as further away from 'your type'
Australian liberal party, is "classical or small 'l' liberal"....economically liberal - & are the current governing party.
There are two factions within the party, conservative and moderate. The moderates are far more popular amongst the electorate, and the current PM is a "moderate" (supports gay marriage, individual rights etc--- much closer aligned to a classic liberal than conservative position)
Spiritual leader - in terms of values I don't think you'll find much in the way a strong difference between Canadians and Australians.. I've never been to Australia but have known several Australian friends here and I can't really say their core values were much different than ours. They may have had trouble adapting to the weather here in the winter or just miss aspects of home (food or recreational stuff) but in terms of having issues adapting to Canadian way of life and the people here not many problems at all so I think that is indicative of two nations whose people probably have a similar value system and outlook on things. I really have a hard time thinking of two more similar nations tbh.. Its almost scary how similar actually lol..
You think Australians are even more similar to Canadians than (liberal) Americans?
Because, in my experience, Australians seemed a bit more "European".
Well to get an idea of what you're asking what in your opinion is different from a Liberal American vs an Australian? Also, what is more 'European' about Australians?
Well to get an idea of what you're asking what in your opinion is different from a Liberal American vs an Australian? Also, what is more 'European' about Australians?
It's a bit hard to answer that without doing over-genralisations.
I've met many Australians and in my experience Australians definitely have more 'leftovers' of a British influence. It can be seen in many aspects of the life. From food to academic system. For example, in my filed Australian system is much closer to European, than American, and Canadian is closer to American. Most of Australians I've spoken to told me they feel Britain's 'feel' is much closer to 'home', than America. Many Brits are moving to OZ and vice versa, too.
Also, as a European, I haven't experienced that over-politeness and that's common for Americans and Canadians, that's usually in Europe perceived as 'fake' (I don't perceive it as a fake ether, but I understand why others do).
It's a bit hard to answer that without doing over-genralisations.
I've met many Australians and in my experience Australians definitely have more 'leftovers' of a British influence. It can be seen in many aspects of the life. From food to academic system. For example, in my filed Australian system is much closer to European, than American, and Canadian is closer to American. Most of Australians I've spoken to told me they feel Britain's 'feel' is much closer to 'home', than America. Many Brits are moving to OZ and vice versa, too.
Also, as a European, I haven't experienced that over-politeness and that's common for Americans and Canadians, that's usually in Europe perceived as 'fake' (I don't perceive it as a fake ether, but I understand why others do).
I don't really see these as 'values' though or at least not in terms of a core value system. Canadian Anglos are probably as a general lot more reserved than Australians, Americans or Brits and are probably the most 'polite' people in the history of the world lol.. With that said, its not 'fake' its just courtesy and manners.. Canadians are truly friendly and welcoming people but it may take a bit longer to warm up to us. We think becoming 'friends' too quickly is 'fake'
I don't know man, I think most of it is cultural nuances more than core values. You may have more institutional similarities to Australia than Canada coming from Eastern Europe, I don't really know but I still think there'd be huge differences coming to either Australia or Canada. Again though, institutional differences don't really speak to liberalism, values or outlook of the people do they?
I think it is dawning on some millennials that ethical truths aren't reducible to opinion and cultural consensus. However this is a vanishingly small minority. I genuinely fear for a world in which an entire generation has been denied the analytic toolsets to appraise ethics in a systematic or meaningful way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yousseff
Your problem here is that you are working from the foundation of an ideology that is fundamentally incoherent and epistemically absurd. It is one of the absurdities inflicted on popular culture by outmoded secular knowledge theories stemming from the 1920s.
You are either relativistic when it comes to values systems, or you are not. There is no definable grey area in between.
As soon as you acknowledge that at least some values are predicated on axioms or ontic absolutes (which is self-evidently true), then the whole cultural framework of liberalism, in the vast majority of its iterations, falls apart.
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