Practical Conservatism (noun): The defense of existing power structures and hierarchies through systematic dishonesty, nostalgic mythmaking, and demonization of opponents, regardless of ideological labeling or stated beliefs. Characterized by the presence of two or more of the following: (1) systematic dishonesty in political discourse, (2) appeals to a mythologized past, (3) deliberate demonization of political opponents. Distinguished from self-described conservatism by focusing on observable behavioral patterns rather than claimed values or traditions.
Usage: "Despite their progressive rhetoric, the party's vilification of dissidents and romanticization of the revolutionary period revealed their practical conservatism."
Veridian (noun): A person who opposes practical conservatism by rejecting its core behavioral patterns of systematic dishonesty, mythologized nostalgia, and demonization of others. Veridians prioritize empirical truth over ideological loyalty and recognize that political movements across traditional categories can exhibit conservative characteristics when defending power structures.
Etymology: From Latin "veridicus" (truth-telling) Usage: "As a Veridian, she evaluated political movements by their actions rather than their stated ideologies."
Ultra Veridian (noun): An individual systematically committed to preventing authoritarianism through institutional and cultural opposition to practical conservative behavioral patterns. Focuses on upstream intervention—identifying and disrupting the dishonesty, mythmaking, and othering that historically precede democratic collapse—rather than reactive responses to established threats.
Usage: "The Ultra Veridian approach emphasized building democratic immune systems rather than treating symptoms of breakdown."
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