Expert: Dennis - 6/4/2006

Question
how was the liberal and conservative different

Answer
Teagan,

Liberal and Conservative mean different things in different countries.

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. They work for laws that allow the people to do what they want, because the Liberal believes in the inherent "goodness" of man.

The Conservative believes that there is both good and evil in mankind, and they are in constant conflict with each other. Conservatives seek a social structure that brings out the best in human nature and suppresses man's lower instincts.

Due to this basic difference in beliefs, you have people that believe that there are no really 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 is an indispensable element in dealing with them.

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 society.

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).

Liberal virtues are: equality (of outcome), pluralism, diversity, economic "fairness," social justice, autonomy, tolerance and relativism.

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; Liberals will pass laws to aid in economic redistribution of wealth (taxes).

This translates in the U.S. with 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).

As you look at each individual issue (abortion, Iraq, welfare reform, education., etc.) think of the differences I enumerated, and you'll get an idea of how and why a Liberal/Conservative got to their point.