I personally have extremely far left leanings but my understanding of Marx's analysis is leavened by that of both Adam Smith and JM Keynes, not to mention an appreciation of Edmund Burke. Balance is always a good thing so long as you don't fall into trap of thinking both sides are or should be the same. All cats are not grey after midnight
Very much so! It's very interesting how concepts like capitalism have at times been liberal, at times conservative, depending on the established order and the challenge being brought against it. Conservatives, as another example, were long against industrial expansion in England, supporting instead a hierarchy based on nobility, then became supporters of industrial expansion over labor unions. It's obviously very relative. Conservatism is a mental and moral lens, a tool for thought, and so is liberalism. It's not a cause. It's a framework by which we see the world.
Someone quoted in the course said that conservative governments ought to be in power two thirds of the time. Meaning that constant liberal change doesn't necessarily work, the time needs to be right for progressive policies to fit into place - and it makes sense, living in a time of constant change is turmoil, society should refine existing establishment instead of always upending it - until the time comes that something else answers more effectively.
It will be really interesting if we all get the chance to look at our turbulent times with the luxury of a historical lens. I'm sure it will make a lot more sense.
