Question We always hear the terms "liberal" and "conservative" with reference to people or to their viewpoints. If you ask a "liberal" or a "conservative" what either term means, you get biased responses, praising their own views and blasting the other view, from either person you ask. Even your fellow experts on this site label themselves in their own descriptions, so there's no objectivity, obviously. Your description contains no label of that kind, so, are there objective definitions of either term? Can you provide them, or suggest an objective source for me to read? Thank you.
Answer Putting aside the idea of self-interest (people have a tendency to act out of self-interest first, and political beliefs second), the term Liberal and Conservative can mean different things to different people. However, it generally refers to one's view of the world. You can get into specifics (i.e. fiscal conservative vs, social conservative), but a Liberal and Conservative have different "world-views."
In America in the 21st Century, Liberals view mankind differently than do Conservatives. What essentially differentiates them is their view of human nature.
Liberals generally view mankind as good, not wicked or lazy, and out of that "world-view" they work for laws that allow people to do what they want (freedom), because the Liberal believes in the inherent "goodness" of man.
The Conservative believes that there is both good and evil in mankind, and it is in constant conflict with each other. Conservatives seek a social structure that brings out the best in human nature, while that structure suppresses man's lower instincts.
Due to this basic difference in beliefs, you have people (this is a generalization, of course) that believe that there are really no bad people (Liberals). Anyone can be talked out of doing bad things. Negotiation will eventually lead to a good result.
Conservatives, on the other hand, believe that there are bad people (or governments) and those people cannot be talked out of their plans. Therefore, the use of force (preemptive or otherwise) is an indispensable element in dealing with them.
A good example would be Iran and Obama vs. Bush. Bush viewed Iran as an intractable enemy of the west (evil) and dealt with them form that point of view. Obama wants to negotiate with them.
Generally, the Liberal doesn't follow the moral order of the day, but listens to an "inner self" as to what is right and wrong. The individual decides all important issues based on his own experience, not on society's decisions.
Conservatives, besides believing in freedom of speech, religion, etc., generally believe in the added element of civic and social virtue. Conservative virtues are: civility, patriotism, national unity, family, belief in merit, responsibility, and a belief in moral standards (a God). All of these add to that structure that they believe brings out the best in mankind.
Liberal virtues are: equality (of outcome), pluralism, diversity, economic "fairness," social justice, autonomy, tolerance and social relativism. These are all virtues that emphasize the individuals freedom and decision making capabilities.
Both believe in "freedom," but a certain kind of freedom. Both are willing to curtail freedom for what they see as a "good" result.
Conservatives are willing to pass laws concerning pornography (thus restricting freedom of speech); Liberals will pass laws to aid in economic redistribution of wealth (taxes).
This translates in the U.S. to our two political parties. Democrats (Liberal) want a larger government, but only if it promotes equality - as they define equality. Conservatives want a smaller government, unless it promotes the social order (locally or globally), then a larger government is OK.
As you look at each individual issue (abortion, Iraq, welfare reform, education., etc.) think of the differences I enumerated as they pertain to a "world-view," and you'll get an idea of how and why a Liberal/Conservative got to their point of view, and what they are.
