Defending the Liberal/Conservative Position


Introduction


            In the political arena, the manner to which individual actions are to be judged or restricted has always been a major issue. The libertarian practice for instance, believes in the harm principle where victimless crimes that have not caused any harm to others should not be subjected to restrictive laws. This belief is based on the libertarian concept that laws are to be exercised solely to people that harm or causes harm to others. Liberal and conservative culture on the other hand, is more after the achievement of the good of more people; thus, liberals/conservatives support the belief that certain individual actions must be prohibited or restricted so as to avoid harming others. In this paper, the aim is to defend the liberal/conservative culture and cite some social issues that stress its benefits.


 


Liberal/Conservative Culture


            The benefit of observing the liberal/conservative culture is largely dependent on its relation to utilitarianism. Specifically, this ethical principle supports the belief that an act is considered morally correct or appropriate if it is for the good of more people. There had been several instances when the control of certain individual actions has resulted to the benefit of others. For instance, in the United States, the issue on illegal drug use has long been a major societal concern. In response to this, laws, regulations and punishment for using or selling these illegal substances have become stricter and heavier. Moreover, law enforcers as well as related government agencies have become more active in restraining the activities of these drug sellers or users. While it is particularly difficult to measure the effect of such legislation in terms of deterrence, the efficacy of these restriction may in part, contributed to the considerable decrease of people being arrested for drug-related crimes (Butler 20). 


            If this example will be analyzed, drug users and sellers are arrested for doing an act considered by law as illegal. In turn, the utilitarian principle is applied as this practice reduces the chances of other innocent people from being victimized by these violators. Society then benefits from enforcing restrictive laws as the number of criminals decreases and a safer community is maintained. From this point of view, the liberal/conservative culture is more beneficial to individuals and to the society as harm is prevented. It is also a more favorable culture compared to the libertarian principle as the purpose of law is optimized in the former through property and life protection. Perhaps, this concept of the liberal/conservative culture can further be explained through the conventional belief that prevention is better than cure.


            This also applies to other social issues such as prostitution. In the harm principle, prostitutes who are not complaining about their working conditions should not be encroached by law. However, laws become effective when prostitutes file certain complaints. With this type of practice, standard observance of laws is disrupted. Moreover, the purpose of the law appears diminished with this set up considering that an individual has already been harmed. The law even becomes less efficient in instances where victims are severely harmed or worse.


            Another point that supports the liberal/conservative practice is the ability of this culture in promoting balance with the needs of the individual and the society. Taking the example of drug abuse for example, the users and sellers themselves are in need of help, mainly in the form of rehabilitative assistance. On the other hand, the restriction of their actions through appropriate punishment enables the society to live in a more secure and crimeless community. This feature of the liberal/conservative culture somewhat relates yet again to the utilitarian principle; from here, it can be said that balancing the needs of society and the individual can be achieved through the application of utilitarianism. In contrast to the libertarian culture, restrictive laws, as viewed in the harm principle, remain ineffective even if the individual is likely to cause harm to himself. Clearly, this practice minimizes the purpose of the law (Dripps 3) as well as prevents the achievement of balance in both individual and societal needs.


 


Conclusion


            There are a number of essential points that support the observance of the liberal/conservative culture. For one thing, this practice promotes the application of the utilitarian principle where the good of more people is prioritized. Secondly, this type of culture also enables the maximization of the law, particularly in terms of protecting both lives and properties. Finally, liberal/conservative culture should be observed as it helps in balancing the needs of both individuals and the society. In conclusion, restrictions do not necessarily pertain to the limitation of freedom. With proper implementation, the prevention of certain actions that are likely to cause harm can promote the well-being of all.


 




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