[Viewpoint] Conservatism and Progressivism Are Complementary Political Spaces

As the presidential election approaches, the competition between ruling and opposition parties or within parties has become intense. The term ‘beautiful loser’ is now just a nostalgic phrase, and politics is conducted without considering each other as opponents in democratic politics. A disproportionate and undemocratic form of politics aimed at annihilating each other along the lines of conservatism and progressivism is rampant.

It is truly concerning how long the political struggle, which has continued for nearly 20 years since the latter half of the Roh Moo-hyun administration, will last. Nevertheless, we must hold hope in the fact that the progressives and conservatives, who scratch each other, can become partners with a synergy effect. Conservatism and progressivism are the best partners for political multiplier effects and can be seen as playing the roles of mother and father in one family.

Progressives and conservatives are primarily distinguished by their universal values and behavioral patterns. Conservative behavior starts from finding rational value in the realistic, while progressives have the attribute of seeking realization based on rational standards. These differences in thinking and behavior between conservatism and progressivism show different characteristics, and when they coexist and complement each other, a so-called synergy effect will occur.

When conservatism and progressivism compete politically or ideologically, they are sometimes clearly contrasted as left and right. However, the concepts of left and right in politics, society, and economy can be clearly distinguished but may also be expressed oppositely depending on the situation or region. The left and right in Korea and Europe often differ from those in China and Russia. When the Soviet Union changed to Russia, the left abandoned Marxism-Leninism and moved toward Western democracy or nationalism, while the conservative right separated as the faction maintaining the Soviet communist system.

It is important to remember that the concepts of left and right are not immutable across time and space but are variable depending on circumstances. Since the positions of left and right can always change, conservative and progressive political forces do not need to be in a hostile and destructive competitive relationship. Just as surgeons and internists are divided according to the patient’s affected area, progressives and conservatives are each differently necessary for the healing and development of politics, economy, society, and culture, and sometimes both are needed simultaneously. The ongoing political war in Korea, where conservatives and progressives only fight, neglects the exhausted Korean people and the country.

Another political realignment after this presidential election is inevitable. Ideally, it would be good if the extreme confrontational structure between conservatives and progressives, left and right, which has been distorted since the Candlelight Revolution, is abolished and reset, evolving into a proper political competition system between conservatism and progressivism. The synergy effect of conservatism and progressivism lies in recognizing each other’s existence and overcoming the binary confrontation through discussion and compromise. Only then can the “fighting politics” and “divisive politics” be ended.

Just as both mother and father roles are necessary in a family, the roles of conservatism and progressivism, left and right, are also necessary in Korean politics. When either the mother’s or father’s role disappears, it becomes a ‘broken family.’ When the balance between conservatism and progressivism collapses, Korean politics inevitably becomes ‘defective politics’ again.

Park Sang-chul, Professor, Graduate School of Political Studies, Kyonggi University