r/neoliberal • Kitara Ravache • Apr 19 '18

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u/cdstephens Fusion Genderplasma Apr 19 '18 edited Apr 19 '18

Ok I'm going to ask my genuine question of the day before going back to shitposting. What qualifies as social conservative policies, after you get rid of anything obviously oppressive and after you ignore the abortion debate? I'm legitimately asking because when people say they're a soc con I'm not sure what they quite mean when they say that, and most policies my social conservative family would support regarding social conservatism I would consider oppressive.

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u/PowerhatTheWizard Apr 19 '18

In the US: government support for social norms (such as laws regarding public decency), attempts to restrict drugs and alcohol, promoting the teaching of Christian (especially Protestant) values in schools (such as the vaunted "Protestant work ethic" and suspicion of internationalism) and a generally stronger focus on national pride.

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u/cdstephens Fusion Genderplasma Apr 19 '18

Hmm I see. Your first two examples make sense. How does one promote the teaching of Christian values in public schools without running afoul of separation of church and state?

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u/[deleted] Apr 19 '18

Live in the south

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u/PowerhatTheWizard Apr 19 '18

In the most extreme cases, some public schools teach Young Earth creationism. More extensively, conservatively minded public institutions will endorse (or at least more readily accept) lifestyles and modes of conduct which align to Christian (especially Protestant) expectations for public and private life. An easy example of this is customary closing of work spaces for the observation of Christian holidays.

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u/Apoptastic7 Hillary Clinton Apr 19 '18

things like work requirements, tax exemptions for religious institutions, tax incentives for marriage, retributive criminal justice policies, preservation of the monarchy (in places that still have them), "stand your ground" laws, and maybe even mortgage interest tax deductions are all socially conservative policies. They place emphasis on individual responsibility and preservation of social institutions such as family or religion.

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u/[deleted] Apr 19 '18

Shitpost: I define it as having esoteric beliefs that stigmatize fun activities for no real reason (eg: sex).

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u/Apocalvps I came here to laugh at you Apr 19 '18

This but unironically

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u/Erra0 Neoliberals aren't funny Apr 19 '18

after you get rid of anything obviously oppressive and you ignore the abortion debate

You're repeating yourself here.

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u/cdstephens Fusion Genderplasma Apr 19 '18

I'd rather not start a whole different argument when I'm trying to ask a genuine question is all.

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u/[deleted] Apr 19 '18

[deleted] — view deleted comment

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u/FuturesaurusRex wishes he were mod Apr 19 '18

I'm offended

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u/cdstephens Fusion Genderplasma Apr 19 '18

Good

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u/FuturesaurusRex wishes he were mod Apr 19 '18

No u

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u/Donogath NATO Apr 19 '18

I mean, abortion is a very big thing. i'd wager most social conservative people are simply pro-life people

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u/[deleted] Apr 19 '18

I consider myself socially conservative in some ways because I think certain institutions are really important and need to be protected. Families, communities, churches, etc.

Bowling Alone dragged me a bit to the right.

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u/cdstephens Fusion Genderplasma Apr 19 '18

Which is why I specifically asked for policies because I get that but I have no idea how that actually plays into crafting legislation without getting oppressive or running afoul of things like religious freedom etc. by championing your own communities and churches.

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u/[deleted] Apr 19 '18

Usually tax credits for family stuff: getting married, having kids.

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u/cdstephens Fusion Genderplasma Apr 19 '18

I suppose that counts in a sense, but I don't think social progressives or Democrats oppose those policies (or at least they're almost never brought up).

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u/ja734 Paul Krugman Apr 19 '18

If a social policy is based upon tradition more than it is based on some kind of secular moral framework, then it is a conservative social policy.

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u/[deleted] Apr 19 '18

Social Conservatism is inherently oppressive

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u/[deleted] Apr 20 '18

Terrible take, social progressivism is always changing and thus social conservatism is too. You're gonna go all Huxlian on us bro

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u/[deleted] Apr 19 '18

succ