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I like the classical liberal view that people should be free to express their views and live as they see fit [u]so long as it does not infringe the equal freedom of others to the same[/u] -- roughly the version first formulated by John Stuart Mills.
The "regressive" left derives its view from a specific variation on that formula; the view derives from acceptance of the idea that we are a social species with a basic and profound need for belonging, acceptance and inclusion, and the psychological research proving that most individuals become dysfunctional to the degree that they are traumatised by continuous abuse and/or exclusion.
In some settings, the means used by "regressive" lefts to try to generate a more inclusive society -- by acting as police on language and behaviour -- actually backfires. It alienates the conservatives who don't understand the need for equal rights because they haven't experienced being the victims of alienation.
What I think it means is that the reformists need to rethink their methods for social evolution.
The "regressive" left derives its view from a specific variation on that formula; the view derives from acceptance of the idea that we are a social species with a basic and profound need for belonging, acceptance and inclusion, and the psychological research proving that most individuals become dysfunctional to the degree that they are traumatised by continuous abuse and/or exclusion.
In some settings, the means used by "regressive" lefts to try to generate a more inclusive society -- by acting as police on language and behaviour -- actually backfires. It alienates the conservatives who don't understand the need for equal rights because they haven't experienced being the victims of alienation.
What I think it means is that the reformists need to rethink their methods for social evolution.