Alterman Challenge: Rattle off 4 or 5 basic principles of liberalism

[BurtWorm]

From Altercation:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3449870/

I was watching a panel on foreign policy called "Are We Making the World Safe for Democracy?" at the L.A. Times Festival of Books on C-SPAN and a questioner asked “My conservative friends can enumerate four or five basic principles of what it means to be a conservative, but what are the principles of the liberals? I would really like to find out what are the basic principles of the liberal worldview… My liberal friends are not able to elucidate them for me. I’m serious…. For my conservative friends we can rattle off four or five principles, if you could just rattle off four or five things that are basic.”

Nobody wanted to answer. David Rieff said, “I think it’s a provocation this question. If anyone could argue for the ability to rattle off, as you say, four or five principles I would take issue with the seriousness of those principles.” Reiff is right, but the political problem is real and central. Anyone want to try and answer? If you solve it, I’ll credit you in the next book, and you will have made the world a better place.

[Beaverhausen]

1. I was in the audience at that panel

The guy asking the question was obviously trying to cause trouble. Most in the audience mumbled and booed him softly.

Even Amy Goodman who was a panelist didn't bother with this guy.

[BurtWorm]

6. Sounds like a plant.

The obvious response is: "Rattle off the five conservative basics."

Low taxes, small government, states rights, lebesnraum, 1000 jahr reich...

[Kerrytravelers]

2. My take on it:

1. Individual privacy
2. Equality
3. Open discussions/debates for compromise
4. Transparent government



Each of these 4 points could be elaborated upon.

[efhmc]

3. The problem with answering this question is that when one

puts liberalism in a box, then it is no longer liberalism. It is conservatism with a liberal facade.

[wtmusic]

4. BP #1: Don't be an asshole

If Republicans can all agree on 4 or 5 principles then they're not principled enough...

[Name removed]

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