Liberalism vs. Conservatism
Freedom – the absence of
constraints on behavior
• political – speech
• social – expression, personal/sexual
issues
• economic – business vs. consumer
taxes/ gov’t programs
affirmative action
Order – protection of
life/property from actions of
others
• crime and punishment issues – law and
order
• hair/dress/sexual preference maintenance
Equality
• of opportunity
• of result
order
freedom
personal
issues
conservatives liberals
equality
economic
issues
conservatives liberals
I. Freedom vs. Order/ Freedom
vs. Equality
A. In the conflict between
freedom and order,
liberals (Democrats) are
more likely to advocate
(favor) a br-o-a-d
interpretation of the
Constitution’s
guarantees of rights and
liberties to ensure the
individual’s right to act
free of gov’t restraint
in political and social
affairs; however…
conservatives
(Republicans) are more
likely to interpret those
same constitutional
guarantees more narrowly
so that gov’t may act to
preserve the
established political and
social order.
B. In the conflict
between freedom
and equality,
conservatives
(Republicans) are
more likely to
advocate a narrow
interpretation of
the powers of the
gov’t to limit gov’t
interference in
economic affairs;
however…
liberals (Democrats)
are more likely to
interpret
governmental power
br-o-a-d-l-y so that
gov’t may assume
responsibility and
take action to
ensure the equality
of all persons in
economic, social and
political affairs.
II. Analyzing Viewpoints – indicate whether
each statement below would most likely be made
by a conservative or a liberal by putting a “C” or
an “L” in the appropriate blank.
L 1. An individual should be able to
behave as she/he sees fit without gov’t
restraint as long as the behavior does
not infringe on the rights of others.
C 2. America’s high crime rate is due to
courts being too lenient with criminals.
L 3. The government should not hesitate
to restrain individual or corporate
economic interests if it will enhance the
public good.
C 4. High gov’t taxes discourage citizens
from working hard.
L 5. Tax loopholes are “welfare for the
rich” that cause middle and lower
income groups to pay more.
C 6. The federal gov’t places too many
restrictions on the way corporations
conduct their business.
L 7. The best way to combat crime is to
attack its causes: ignorance, poverty,
hopelessness.
C 8. We should increase our prosecution
of and penalties for crimes such as
prostitution, gambling and the sale of
pornographic materials. Excessive
individual freedom in these areas
corrupts society and will ultimately lead
to America’s decline and fall.
L 9. Sexual behavior, as practiced by
consenting adults in private, should not
be regulated by the gov’t.
C 10. Unions reduce productivity by
discouraging workers from performing
tasks not agreed to in a labormanagement contract.
C 11. Government should censor or
restrict films, music and publications
that undermine the nation’s moral fiber.
C 12. Crime, unemployment, and poverty
will be reduced if Americans return to
the traditional values of hard work, self
discipline and belief in God.
L 13. Most people on welfare would
prefer a real job.
L 14. Gays and lesbians should not be
denied the opportunity to serve their
nation as members of the armed forces.
L 15. Affirmative action programs should
be vigorously promoted by gov’t to
correct past inequities.
L 16. The First Amendment should
protect movies and books from gov’t
censorship. Adults must be free to
think and speak as they wish.
C 17. Business owners should have the right to
hire, fire or serve anyone they wish without
gov’t interference.
L 18. Gov’t should create programs that will
reduce America’s large number of poor people.
C 19. The best way to help the poor is to set
policies that help businesses earn a profit so
they can hire the underprivileged.
L 20. Most third world unrest is caused
by weak gov’ts and economics, poverty,
famine and internal conflicts – a legacy
of Western institutions.
C 21. Behavior that deviates (strays)
from the norm or violates established
ethics of society should be restricted
by the gov’t.
L 22. A broad interpretation of due process
rights should be upheld by the courts to
ensure the principle that one is innocent until
proven guilty.
L 23. Taxes should be based on the ability-topay principle.
C 24. Homosexual activity should be outlawed
by the gov’t and those engaging in such
deviant behavior should be denied gov’t jobs.