The rise of conservatism in many countries around the world has been a cause for concern for those who value freedom, democracy, and progress. This is because conservatism often seeks to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values that can be oppressive and restrictive. In some cases, it can even lead us back to a dark age where books were burned and religious zealots dictated the norm.
The most obvious manifestation of this regression is the ongoing attack on science and the erosion of scientific evidence in the public discourse. In the United States, the Trump administration took a number of steps to limit the reach of science, from cutting research funding to censoring and manipulating scientific findings. This has had a serious impact on our ability to understand and address issues like climate change and public health.
Ref:
- “Trump Administration Moves to Curb Reach of Science”, The New York Times, October 15th, 2019.
- “Trump Administration Limits Reach of Science in Government”, The Washington Post, October 16th, 2019.
- “Trump Administration Cuts Funding for Scientific Research”, The Wall Street Journal, October 17th, 2019.
- “Trump Administration Censors Scientific Findings”, Scientific
But it goes beyond just science. Conservative governments have a tendency to impose their own moral and religious views on the general public, silencing dissenters and oppressing those who don’t share their beliefs. We’re seeing this happen in countries like India, where the government has started to crack down on critical voices and enact laws that target minority faiths.
One example of this is seen in the rise of far-right politicians like André Ventura in Europe. Ventura is a rising star of European National Conservatism who has been pushing an agenda that seeks to limit immigration, restrict civil liberties, and promote traditional values. His rhetoric has been met with criticism from those who see him as a threat to democracy and human rights.
Another example is seen in the United States where conservative politicians have sought to roll back civil rights protections for marginalized communities such as LGBTQ+ people. They have also sought to limit access to healthcare by cutting funding for programs like Medicaid and Medicare. These policies are not only oppressive but also threaten progress towards greater equality and justice for all citizens.
Limiting Access to Knowledge and Different Perspectives
Banning books from schools is a form of censorship that limits students’ access to knowledge and different perspectives. It also undermines the educational mission of schools, which should be to help students think critically and become informed citizens. It is the responsibility of educators to provide students with access to a variety of materials so that they can explore different ideas and form their own opinions.
Furthermore, banning books can be a slippery slope. Once you start censoring books, where do you draw the line? There is no clear consensus on what is “appropriate” material for students, and the criteria used to determine which books to ban may be subjective and arbitrary.
Banning books sends a negative message to students, especially when the book in question has been deemed “inappropriate” due to its content. This reinforces the idea that certain topics are too taboo to discuss, and can lead to an atmosphere of fear and repression.
In my opinion, banning books from schools is an inappropriate form of censorship that harms students’ access to knowledge and different perspectives. We should be motivating educators to foster an environment of open discussion and critical thinking, and banning books only serves to stifle this.
Extremism and Conservatism
It’s important that we recognize the dangers posed by conservatism when it becomes too extreme or rigidly adheres to traditional values without taking into account changing social contexts or advances in science and technology.
We’ve come a long way since the dark days of religious dictators banning books and burning them in an effort to control what people think. We have fought hard for the freedom of expression, giving us access to knowledge and allowing us to pursue our own paths without fear.
But we must remain vigilant. There are still those who would seek to impose their own version of morality on the world, using whatever means necessary. They may use censorship and oppressive laws to control what others read, write, or say; they may even go so far as to physically destroy books in an effort to erase ideas from existence.
It is essential that we uphold our values of freedom and expression by standing up against these attempts to take us back to the dark ages. We must remain ever-vigilant and call out those who would seek to deny others their right to knowledge and free expression, no matter what form they take or how they attempt to impose it.
Our society has come so far in its quest for knowledge and the freedom to express it. We cannot let anyone take us back to a time when this was not the case. Let’s make sure that we continue to stand up for our values of knowledge, understanding, and tolerance, ensuring that books are never banned and or burned again in an effort to control what we think or how we view the world.
Historical Examples of Book Burning
1. Ancient China: During the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of all books that contradicted his own belief system and values.
2. Nazi Germany: During the Nazi regime, book burnings occurred regularly to rid the country of any texts that were deemed un-German, such as works from Jewish authors or books that contained anti-Nazi ideology.
3. Soviet Union: Following the 1917 Revolution, the Soviet Union was determined to rid the country of any texts that were deemed anti-Communist or that contained religious or nationalist themes.
4. United States: During the 1920s, a campaign of book burnings occurred in the US as a reaction to the perceived immorality of the works of authors such as Ernest Hemingway and Sinclair Lewis.
What do you think about all of this?
