LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM
LIBERALISM


Government regulates
economy to protect people
from big business and
wealthy elites
Government plays active
role in helping
disadvantaged Americans

Social Programs

Tax burden on wealthier
people
LIBERALISM (CONTINUED)


No government regulations of
social behavior

Free speech, privacy rights,
religious freedom

Diverse society key
Higher taxes on the wealthy

Greater assets shoulder more
costs

Redistribution
CONSERVATISM



General distrust of government
Separation of Powers and Federalism
key

Sep. of Powers: Three Branches of
Government

Federalism: State and Federal Powers
Government should stay away
from economy

Gov control makes economy less
efficient, leads to more poverty,
and causes overall loss of wealth
CONSERVATISM (CONTINUED)

Oppose high taxes and redistribution programs


Take away incentives of hard work, discourage
investments, and reduce amount of freedom in society
Free enterprise system is the best economic system

People and businesses will create wealth and higher
standard of living if they make their own choices
CONSERVATISM (CONTINUED)


Government involvement in economy will lead to
regulation of other behaviors

Fear restriction of freedom

Claim loss of upward mobility (ability to get to a
higher standard of living)
Support some government regulation of social
behavior

Example: Opposition to Roe v. Wade in regards to
abortion
CONSERVATISM AND RELIGION


Believe that faith is vital to a successful society
Social problems result from morality and
character issues

Should be addressed by religious faith and private
efforts of churches, individuals, and communities
CLASS DISCUSSION


Who are the liberal
members of our
government today?
Who are the
conservative members
of our government
today?
EXIT SLIP


Do you tend to agree more with conservative or
liberal beliefs? Explain your answer to this
question citing at least 3 examples from class.
Did you agree with the result of the political
spectrum activity on your own beliefs?
THE RISE OF CONSERVATISM

Struggle against communism
Communist governments active in economy
 Liberal ideals lead toward communism?
 Liberals against defense spending to stop
communism from spreading


Communism rejected religion
Americans viewed it as a battle between good and
evil
 Communism promotes economic welfare

CONSERVATISM GROWS

William Buckley’s National Review
Conservative Magazine
 Spreading ideas via magazine, TV,
radio


Role of Young Republicans
Young Americans for Freedom
 Push for greater role in government


Conservative Republicans movement successful
Barry Goldwater gets GOP nomination (loses)
 YAF supports conservative candidates

THE SUNBELT

South and West very conservative
Southern conservatives (Democrat)
 Western conservatives (Republican)
 Northeast decided elections



Northeast liberal so liberal politicians won elections
Effects of WWII migration
Jobs and factories in south and west
 Sunbelt’s economy expands
 Image of federal government different

SUNBELT CONSERVATISM

Northeast: Rustbelt
Higher unemployment, high pollution
 Looked to government for help


Sunbelt
Opposed high taxes and federal regulations that
could hinder growth
 Southerners against Civil Rights
 Westerners against environmental regulations on
ranching, water use, and national resources

SAGEBRUSH REBELLION



Conservatives against
federal laws that hindered
the region’s development
Battle over state v. federal
powers (remember the
ideals of conservatism)
Economic growth the key
to this rebellion
RISE OF SUNBELT CONSERVATISM

1980: Population of Sunbelt surpasses population
of Rustbelt

Political power shift

Becomes evident with election of Ronald Reagan
TAXES AND CONSERVATISM



Middle-class Americans in suburbs felt they were
losing ground economically due to taxes for
federal programs
Tax revolt in California (Howard Jarvis 1978)
Americans believe government became too big
and taxes were too high

Conservatives push for tax cuts and middle class
votes are won
THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT

Court Case Results Upset Conservatives
Roe v. Wade: Right to have an abortion protected by
Constitution
 Limitations of prayer in public schools
 Protections on those accused of crimes


Other concerns for religious right:
Feminism
 Equal Rights Amendment

THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT
(CONTINUED)

Evangelicals
Protestants who believe they are
saved from their sins through
conversion (born-again)
 Make a personal commitment to
follow Jesus Christ
 Roles Billy Graham and Oral
Roberts


Evangelicals spreading the word


70 million Americans described as
“born again”
Owned TV/Radio Stations,
Newspapers, and Magazines
TELEVANGELISTS

Evangelical ministers spreading the word via
television broadcasts
Marion “Pat” Robertson: Christian Broadcasting
Network
 Jerry Falwell: Old-Time Gospel Hour


Moral Majority
Television and mail campaign to register new voters
who backed conservative ideals
 Falwell claimed to have registered 2 million voters by
1980

THE NEW REPUBLICAN COALITION

American society had lost its way
Watergate Scandal
 Taxation
 Special Interest Policies (Civil Rights, EPA)
 Unemployment Rate
 Inflation
 Energy Crisis
 Hostage Crisis
 Vietnam
 Soviet relations


Promises of stability and a return to a better
time