The latest from Joe Biden pandering to the left: There are several points to be made about this tweet, which captures the contemporary left-wing attitude towards family and gender. Firstly and in correction, work is fundamentally a means to an end. True, some jobs are better paying than others; some people are suited to particular… Continue reading On work
In large part, the definition of ‘rationalism’ varies from source to source. Though, the fairest definition can be drawn from Pope Leo XIII in his 1888 encyclical ‘On the Nature of True Liberty’, where he held rationalism to be belief in “the supremacy of human reason.” A close corollary of this view is that reality… Continue reading The problem with rationalism
Naturally, on the news of my conversion to Catholicism, there have been a variety of responses from family and friends. Out of these, the most interesting has been obstinate denial: a complete refusal to consider the points establishing the truth of God, Christianity, and Catholicism. Objections such as “religions are different and equal interpretations about… Continue reading Liberalism is dogmatic
We live in a country in which state and federal governments constantly pass new laws. At time of writing, the federal government has passed 24 Acts for the year, this being exclusive of amendments made to other Acts and legislative instruments. These laws are passed not only with frequency but copious detail. The Fair Work… Continue reading The problems with legalism
Further to my critique in July, it is proper to refute some of the key contentions which sustain free trade ideology. These arguments–and their flaws–could be considered as follows. Free trade means better prices for consumers Free trade with poorer countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America is desirable, we are advised, because it reduces… Continue reading Free trade revisited
I wrote last month: In our liberal democracy, issues that carry an abiding potential for violence are downplayed. This is seen in the phenomenon of ‘conscience’ votes, whereby politicians mitigate terse disagreements by simply abdicating the fight for deeply held moral beliefs. This retreat from upholding morality in the public sphere is marked among self-described… Continue reading The Conservative Retreat From the Public Sphere
The past week has been extraordinary, visiting widespread disruptions not seen since the close of the Second World War. With every single Australian being affected by the outbreak in some measure, coronavirus has shattered the post-war consensus that we can assuredly control our own lives. In a certain sense, the period from 1945 to 2020… Continue reading We Are Not in Control
In countering critics of liberalism, the establishment left and right tend to mirror each other. This shared defence ostensibly goes along the following lines: Liberalism may have caused significant social, economic and cultural disruption. But these changes must remain impeded lest we irrationally resist the inevitable arc of history. Whatever costs–imposed on the family, religion,… Continue reading Why Liberalism is Insufficient
There is a fascinating clip making the rounds on Twitter from The Today Show. This clip is fascinating in making abundantly explicit what is often implicit: the great contempt held by cultural elites (including the media) for stay-at-home-mothers. This clip can be seen in full below. In a nutshell, it shows panel members of The… Continue reading An Open Assault on Stay at Home Mothers
As an ideology, Liberalism is most distinguishable in its conception of human nature. Liberals have an optimistic view of humanity, regarding it to have an abiding potential for good that augments over time. In Reflections of an Australian Liberal, F.W. Eggleston captures this idea: I am an optimist, for I believe that the human mind,… Continue reading Liberal Authoritarianism
Democracy is defined as a “system in which power is vested in the people and exercised by them through freely elected representatives.” Under our Liberal hegemony, this system is presupposed as moral: of course ‘the people’ should be politically empowered. Yet, just as ‘free speech’ advocates only practice their principles to a tolerable degree, democratists… Continue reading Securing The Democratic Regime
Adam Smith, in The Theory of Moral Sentiments, set out what has since become a leading defence for Liberal, secularist morality. Smith opined it was individual self-interest that held together the moral order of society. As part of individual self-interest, humans–due to their value placed in social relationships–desire the approval of others. To acquire this… Continue reading Adam Smith on Morality
The latest at Oz Conservative–‘Ginsburg on Feminism’–makes for superb reading. Of particular note, was the implication that Liberalism–specifically, it’s primary offshoot in individual autonomy–has made individuals less free. Here, I wanted to draw out this theme. It is necessary to outline a working definition of freedom. (Of course, there are various other good (and bad)… Continue reading Liberalism As a Means of Undermining Freedom
A 23 year old Australian–Alex Hepburn–was recently sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for raping a British woman. Last week, this story was all over the Australian media. As an aside, I suspect this has to do with the media perpetuating its favourite rape archetype: the white, ostensibly Ayran male. When in reality, women have far… Continue reading What Liberalism Reaps
Mark Richardson of the Oz Conservative blog is a perspicacious writer–especially when explaining Liberalism and its pitfalls. At a time when Liberalism engulfs our political landscape and is difficult to precisely identify, Mark aptly outlines this ideology’s ramifications. Given this crucial insight, I’ve compiled 5 of my favourite Oz Conservative posts below. Enjoy, and if… Continue reading The Oz Conservative Guide to Liberalism
