not a reactionary person word?

[sal11]

what is the word for saying someone is not a reactionary person?

 

[Barque]

What do you mean by "reactionary person"?

 

[emsr2d2]

What is the word for saying someone who is not a reactionary person?

Please note my corrections above. I have the same question as Barque.

 

[sal11]

Please note my corrections above. I have the same question as Barque.

It means a person who does not like change and supports old ideas, especially political views.

 

[Tarheel]

@sal11 That is not enough of a definition for me to truly understand what you mean. What do you mean by "old ideas"?

 

[teechar]

How about a conservative or a traditionalist?

 

[probus]

I agree with the synonyms given by @teechar, but I'd warn you @sal11 to be cautious about using reactionary in that sense because "reactionary" is often used in discussing Marxist economic theory with a different meaning. There it refers to a counter-revolution.

 

[Tarheel]

The term "reactionary" is used in a derogatory manner.

 

[amkon]

How about a conservative or a traditionalist?

Not a teacher

No, it's exactly the opposite.

The term "reactionary", in the Arab World, is almost entirely used by socialists and leftists (governments, political parties and individuals). Some communists use it as well - in the past!

It is pronounced "raj'ee" in Arabic, which literally means "going back".

It is used to describe one of the following groups / individuals:

1. Conservatives
2, Traditionalists
3. Fundamentalists (or the So-called "Islamists")

So the opposite would depend on context:-

Conservative -> Liberal?
Traditionalist -> Progressive
Fundamentalist-> Not sure of this one (moderate, nonconformist?)

 

[amkon]

The term "reactionary" is used in a derogatory manner.

Not a teacher

Not in the Arab World. It just means someone resistant to change or progress!

 

[Amigos4]

@amkon: A belated “Welcome to the Forum”! I look forward to reading your posts.

 

[Tarheel]

Not in the Arab World. It just means someone resistant to change or progress!

That seems derogatory to me. Plus, "progress" is ambiguous. That is, opinions might vary about what's considered progress.

 

[probus]

As Aubrey Menen pointed out in his brilliant essay, "Why Indians Do Not Get Better All the Time", the idea of progress as universally good is quintessentially American. In India there is to this day a considerable segment of the population who feel that the past was better than the present.

If more than one or two members are interested I'll put up Menen's essay in a separate thread. It will be a lot to type in, but worth it in my view. Quite apart from the ideas it contains, it's a lovely piece of writing.

 

[amkon]

Plus, "progress" is ambiguous. That is, opinions might vary about what's considered progress.

Not a teacher

Exactly!

For that reason, it cannot be derogatory. "Progress" may not really be progress, and "change" may not be change for the better. True, opinions vary!

 

[Tarheel]

@amkon As you have probably figured out by now, I regard the word "reactionary" as highly subjective. In other words, a reactionary is against the change (or changes) that you are for.

 

[Tarheel]

Progress" may not really be progress,

You might want to look at that again.

We do agree that people have different opinions on what constitutes progress.

 

[probus]

On reflection, it would infringe copyright to put up Menen's whole essay. It can be found in the book entitled India, photos by Roloff Beny.

 

[Amigos4]

It can be found in the book entitled India, photos by Roloff Beny.

@probus: I searched for the essay but all I could find was a reference to “Page 58” of Beny’s book. Do you have a link for the essay?

 

[probus]

Regrettably no. I too tried unsuccessfully to find it online.

 

[Tdol]

Not a teacher

Not in the Arab World. It just means someone resistant to change or progress!

Progressives won't like that.