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Talk:Mystery:Why is England More Liberal than the United States? (view source)
Revision as of 17:40, July 20, 2011
, 17:40, July 20, 2011no edit summary
:There is no doubt that the roots of revolution were in the overreach of government and taxation. The latter may be characteristic of left leaning (liberal) governments but I think it is a little anachronistic to decribe this a a reaction against "liberalism". Going further, I don't believe the British government of the time, while authoritarian, could be described in terms of either classical liberalism or its current meaning.
:There is no doubt that the roots of revolution were in the overreach of government and taxation. The latter may be characteristic of left leaning (liberal) governments but I think it is a little anachronistic to decribe this a a reaction against "liberalism". Going further, I don't believe the British government of the time, while authoritarian, could be described in terms of either classical liberalism or its current meaning.
:I would add that fundamental reason why Great Britain/UK (I have no idea why this work singles out "England" specifically) and Europe generally have more liberal attitudes has arisen from several historical trends - that this topic needs to expand on - but most notable the contrasting feature of the United States is that its growth and success rests on indiviudal responsibility, liberties and a hostile mindset to big government and tax since the revolution! [[User:Laguardia|Laguardia]]
:I would add that fundamental reason why Great Britain/UK (I have no idea why this work singles out "England" specifically) and Europe generally have more liberal attitudes has arisen from several historical trends - that this topic needs to expand on - but most notable the contrasting feature of the United States is that its growth and success rests on indiviudal responsibility, liberties and a hostile mindset to big government and tax since the revolution! [[User:Laguardia|Laguardia]]
::Speaking as an Englishman, this does appear to be the most plausible explanation for the divergence between American and European political sentiments. America as a nation was founded on the rejection of a major controlling governmental force, so the nation's people have long been distrustful of the expansion of government. Concepts like welfare didn't come into their hayday in the UK until the beginning of the 20th Century, long after America had established itself as a nation that was against national programs. The difference then is just the logical conclusion of two countries following those post-revolution trends. I think that most of the other suggestions in this essay (like nationalised television) are symptoms of the differing perspectives, not causes. --[[User:Maninahat|Maninahat]] 14:37, 20 July 2011 (EDT)
== The entrenched Church of England ==
== The entrenched Church of England ==