Difference Between Liberalism And Conservatism

Improved Essays
Parliamentary and Presidential System
Conservatism and Liberalism are political ideologies that differ in their intellectual structures. Conservatism includes two Christian doctrines: Universal equal rights and original sin. This lead to the conclusions that freedom is the most precious and fragile blessing we possess and also that no single individual or group can be trusted to protect and preserve it for us. (Shlichta p. 1, 2011) Conservatives believe that society should have balanced powers between different groups. No single group should become powerful enough to outweigh the others, which is very difficult to maintain in a society. They also believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional
…show more content…
Conservatives believe the role of the government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Liberals believe that the role of the government is to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties, and individual and human rights. They also believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. (Student News Daily p. 1, 2010) Some issues that conservatives support are the death penalty, charter schools, the use of energy, and that the second amendment gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Some issues that liberals support are abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, free or low-cost government controlled health care, legal immigration, the separation of church and state, same sex marriage, and welfare. It frequently happens that a person is liberal on some of these issues and conservative on others. For example, American conservatives general favor free trade but are also concerned about the repression of religion in Chine. This leaves them to grapple with the question of what sort of trade relations the United States should maintain with China. (Shively p. 25,

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The political beliefs of the American people in the year 2016 can be characterized as reform liberalism. Although the American political culture contains numerous core ideals and values as all American share different views, the vast majority of people support general ideas including equality, liberty, and order. America allows each individual to have their own personal beliefs within the political sphere. Different generations live through different experiences which significantly shapes the thinking of individuals. Political beliefs and ideologies form due to the resolutions regarding different conflicts.…

    • 1201 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It is an ideology based on the belief that society is an organic and collective whole. Conservatives focus their support not on each individual, but on the idea of having all the citizens of the state come together. They believe that the best form of society is hierarchical- a society in which everyone knows their place, where some rule and the rest are ruled (Brodie, 2014). Conservatives would describe themselves as part of a party that favors low taxes, a less intrusive government, a strong regime of law-and-order, and as having a strong respect for traditional values on matters involving sex, gender, family, and human life (The Canada Guide, 2017). Law-and-order helps structure the economy by providing predictability.…

    • 1322 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The most evident one is that of the greater good, and in the case of republicanism relates to keeping “balance between classes” and uniting people to work towards a common goal. Likewise, liberalism emphasizes individual’s freedom, but clarifies that liberty does not mean license, and brings forth the idea of keeping to the ideals “Within the bounds of the law of nature.” Overall, it is necessary to maintain stability between both Republicanism and liberalism as both emphasize different values, but together work to make for a balanced society in terms of the government and the…

    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Liberalism is a political philosophy or way of thinking based on the ideas of liberty and equality for all in society. With this theory or political policy in place, it is ideal for the people of the society to have the majority of the power in regards to decision making in the community. Meaning that the people have the power to vote for the people in government, freedom of press, freedom to practice any religion, and keep any civil or natural right reserved no matter what transpires in the government. Liberalism also has a strong support in a person being an individual first before being a component in a society.…

    • 1144 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Liberalism means the idea of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty. Liberals wanted to end the dominance of the Catholic Church, class stratification and slavery. They also supported a freer market and less bureaucracy. These issues for many years strongly affected the way that Latin American society was organized. The majority of liberals believed in a democratic system of government, while the non-liberals prefer a stronger rule.…

    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Elements Of Conservatism

    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Writing assignment The political tradition I mostly agree with is liberalism as liberalism aims at providing equality and improving human conditions connected to possessions and freedom of thought. Liberals also emphasize that government should solve problems and see that no one lacks anything. I agree with liberalistic stand on several issues like dealing with racism affirmative actions, death penalty, education, gun control etc. The most important elements of liberalism are the importance it gives to an individual and self-determination.…

    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Liberalism, is the want for your own self right and have the freedom to make your own choice by no persuasion of others. Liberalism was brought into light by John Locke who believed that individuals should have the right to choose what they wanted to do as long as they did not hurt anyone else. With this they should not be forced by others including the government or “The Crown”. Liberalism rose during the Industrial Revolution. Locke believed that by nature, men, were all free, equal, and independent (Locke, pg. 52).…

    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The War of Politics: Liberals vs Conservatives Democracy in the United States American is made up of two main political parties, republicans and democrats. The common view of each party breaks down to liberals (Democrats) versus conservatives (Republicans) (Wilson & Dilulio, 2005). Instead of both sides working together to create policies for the greater good of the country, it seems that each side would rather dig their heels in the mud and take a stand that the other should be more like them. Before you can understand liberalism or conservatisms, you must understand the basic political ideologies in America.…

    • 1687 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Steven Dykes English 2 Professor S. Dine October 7, 2017 Liberal or Conservative? Liberal thinking way of life has always been a huge influence in life, the lesser of two evils or the party that stands for unionization. While growing up, liberal versus conservative were not words readily used by media but the words used to describe my family’s values were democratic. A democrat which in today’s society is labeled “Liberal” voting would help the middle class. My father was considered to be a hard-blue collar worker.…

    • 854 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bootstrap Americanism

    • 1159 Words
    • 5 Pages

    “My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose - somehow we win out.” Quoted from former President of the United States Ronald Reagan talking about hard work. In modern day America, there are so many ideologies thrown around, one that is very important to this country is “Bootstrap” Americanism. The core concept of “Bootstrap” Americanism, well noted by Reagan, is how strong values and hard work can get a person wherever he wants in today’s America. It was the basis of how this country got off its feet and into a superpower.…

    • 1159 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Democrats regard religion as scientific and non-organized, while Republicans are largely influenced by religion and tradition. For example, Republicans’ stance on abortion is based on religion and their belief that an unborn child has the right to live and cannot be taken away. Democrats support abortion and believe a woman has the right to make her own decisions. Another social difference is based on family upbringing. Liberals focus on a relationship built on respect and trust between a child and his parents to create potential of a fulfilled adult, whereas conservatives believe a relationship built on respect and fear will build character and a self-reliant adult.…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are in fact different individuals and groups that have different views on what causes poverty in a society and how to fix the problem so that the United States economy can flourish. But, in order to properly address the cause of poverty, one must know what poverty is. Poverty is the state in which families or individuals are extremely poor. And what is meant by extremely poor is by having little to no money, food, or any means of support in general that is necessary for sustaining good health. As stated before, there are many individuals and groups who have ideas and views of what the cause of poverty is, for example Liberal Views and Conservative views.…

    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The right side of the spectrum does not agree with the government funding embryonic stem cell research because it is murder to perform stem cell research of an embryo because this process requires destroying the embryo. The right side of the spectrum believes it is morally wrong to create an embryo, to then destroy it for research. The use of adult stem cells, and umbilical stem cells causes no harm to any life, and conservatives allow the government to fund this type of research, Conservatives often believe in non-human institutions or faith in a higher power, such as religion. Many conservatives believe the God they believe in is the answer to disease and illness and that through prayer god will heal the ill. The right side of the spectrum would protest that we are all God 's children and deserve the right to life and that this right should not be infringed on, especially when the embryos can not speak for themselves.…

    • 1994 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    After WW1, the winners which were the United States, United Kingdom, and France adapted the underlying principles of liberalism that has been practiced since the 17th and 18th centuries to try and avoid war. Liberal thought is grounded in a notion that human nature is good, not evil, meaning that states thrive in a world governed by morality and law. States want to cooperate to achieve mutual goals in peace. Just like realism, liberalism derives from the observations and interpretations of political situations. Liberalism argues for human rights, parliamentary democracy, and free trade, while also maintaining that all such goals begin within the state.…

    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, free markets and gender equality are all tenets of the liberal ideology. Complete freedom from the thoughts or ideas of others imposing their will upon you. You are the only one that can answer for yourself and what is best for you. You are responsible to only yourself as long as you do not interfere with others. We should “maximize welfare, or (as the utilitarians put it) seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number.”…

    • 1287 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays

Related Topics