Liberalism vs. Conservatism

My view on the differences betwixt the two.

Published on March 21, 2004 By messybuu In Politics

Ever see The Odd Couple? That's what I think of when I think of the battle between liberals and conservatives. Both live together in the same country but with very different beliefs. After years of experiencing life on both sides of the fence, as well as observing my peers, I think I have found the basic differences of each group. Although my views aren't completely objective, I do think that they are accurate.

1. Government Intervention
Conservative View: Pessimistic. Conservatives think government should stick to its basic purposes.
Liberal View: Optimistic. Liberals think the government should play a more active role in people's lives.

2. Law Enforcement
Conservative View: Optimistic. Conservatives beileve a strong police force and military is necessary for security.
Liberal View: Pessimistic. Liberals believe the police and military abuse their power.

3. Majority Rule
Conservative View: Optimistic. Conservatives believe that the main power of government should be in the people.
Liberal View: Pessimistic. Liberals believe that government for those deemed fit to govern.

4. Favorite Branch
Conservative View: Legistlative Branch. Conservatives prefer to work through the legislative branch, which represents the people of the United States.
Liberal View: Judicial Branch. Liberals prefer to work through the judicial branch, the least democratic branch in the American government.

5. Religion
Conservative View: Pro-Christian. Conservatives support the views of Christian more than they do of other beliefs because the majority of Americans are Christian.
Liberal View: Anti-Christian. Liberals support the views of beliefs other than Christianity because they are in the minority.

6. Class
Conservative View: Rich. Conservatives support the upper classes of society because they are the ones who keep the government productive and wealthy.
Liberal View: Poor. Liberals support the lower classes of society for they are the ones who produce the ideas of the upper class.

7. Work Ethic
Conservative View: Strong. Conservatives believe that working hard leads to a successful life.
Liberal View: Weak. Liberals believe that luck, not hard work, determines who is successful and who isn't.

8. Social Welfare
Conservative View: Conservatives believe that people reap what they sow.
Liberal View: Liberals believe that it is the duty of the wealthy to aid the less wealthy.

9. Censorship
Conservative View: Conservatives believe censorship should regulate sex and violence.
Liberal View: Liberals believe censorship should regulate beliefs they feel are hateful.

10. International Affairs
Conservative View: Conservatives believe that America knows what's good for America.
Liberal View: Liberals believe that the interests of other countries come before America's.

11. Threats
Conservative View: War. Conservatives believe that war is necessary to combat threats.
Liberal View: Appeasement. Liberals believe that negotiating with enemies will end any threat.

12. Crime
Conservative View: Punishment. Conservatives believe that criminals should be punished for their crimes with incarceration.
Liberal View: Rehabilitation. Liberals believe that criminals should be rehabilitated for their crimes so that they can return to society.

I think I've accurately described each group, but there are always exceptions. It also might seem biased, but some of that might be because of how I describe certain beliefs as opposed to how they are often described by their own supporters.

Comments (Page 3)

jeblackstar

on Mar 24, 2004

Unfortunately the difference between "mob rule" for homosexuality and Ted Kennedy is that a constitutional amendment banning homosexuality harms the minority. Ted Kennedy doesn't really harm the conservatives in his district, and if he did, I would argue he should be voted out.

Cheers

messybuu

on Mar 24, 2004

Or if he won't be voted out by the majority, he could be forced out by the courts.

jeblackstar

on Mar 24, 2004

Ahhh, but we shouldn't use the courts to legislate should we.

bakerstreet

on Mar 24, 2004

"Ted Kennedy doesn't really harm the conservatives in his district,"

I think the conservatives would tend to disagree. A lot of anti-gay rights folks would say that homosexuals aren't harmed by not being able to get married. "Harm" is in the eye of the beholder.

jeblackstar

on Mar 24, 2004

:: shrugs::

jeblackstar

on Mar 24, 2004

How so exactly?

none

on Apr 13, 2004

Your profile of these two views is not just a bit biased; it is totally biast, as well as simplistic. Liberalism is described accurately at all. Apparently you are a conservative and, therefore, should be not be talking about something that you don't know. Liberals are the best anyways. Haha!

messybuu

on Apr 13, 2004

Honestly, I think my representation of liberals shows them in a better light than yours.

chunkylover53

on Dec 08, 2004

Saint, how can you label unregulated free trade as 'authoritarian', when it, by definition, is the exact opposite? Note the words, "unregulated" and "free". There will always be the "haves" and the "have-nots". Isn't the best way to help the latter by ensuring them best opportunity to provide for themselves? Unnecessary regulation damages our economy from both sides - #1: The business is forced to conform to these regulations, not at their OWN expense, but at WORKERS and CONSUMERS expense. #2: We, as taxpayers, have to pay for the regulating!

drmiler

on Dec 08, 2004

Reply #23 By: Shulamite - 3/22/2004 8:12:14 PM
Are humans inherently good or inherently evil?

I believe we're inherently evil.
Am I oversimplifying when argue that basically conservatives hold with the pessimistic view and liberals with the optimistic? That "what's in it for me" has to be the primary motivator? "The only way to legislate morality in this country is to make it less expensive." -- I hate when I can't name a movie and character, but it's a great thought.

Some may argue that by selling the general public the warm-fuzzies about humans being inherently good, a party can buy votes and then do what they want. Its all about the pursuit of power after all, right? (e.g. "what's in it for me?") I'm not laying a blanket down here, I'm just throwing some conversation out there. People like warm-fuzzies and optimism and vote for 'em. People vote for entitlements because of the "what's in it for me" philosophy. It all adds up to power.

Can one not argue that power, not beliefs, is the generator for the American (and ALL) political machines?

I vote we have term limits.

No, we are inherently self-centered. If it's good for me then GREAT! If it's good for you and not good for me then BAD!!!

JE0192

on Dec 09, 2004

Wow, your article illustrates EVERYTHING that’s wrong with politics in the United States these days

Let’s bring it up a notch...

Immigration:
Conservative View : Conservatives believe we don’t need any poor people (especially those coloured ones) coming from other countries to steal our jobs!
Liberal View : Liberals believe America is a land of opportunity for everyone

Guns:
Conservative View : Conservatives believe everyone, even that sketchy kid down the street with violent tendencies and selling crack, should be allowed to have an AK-47 because our great constitution allows it!
Liberal View : Liberals believe that guns should be allowed for protection to citizens who do not pose a threat to society.

Abortion:
Conservative View : Abortion is murder and the people performing them should all be executed for murder and go to hell!
Liberal View : Abortion is the choice of the woman.

Religion:
Conservative View : This is a goddamn Christian nation and God should be in everyone’s homes
Liberal View : There should be a separation between religion and the State.

Drugs:
Conservative View : Druggies are destroying our society and drug addicts should go to jail forever (unless, of course, it’s our favourite radio host) .
Liberal View : Current drug laws are ineffective and should be reevaluated.

drmiler

on Dec 09, 2004

Wow, your article illustrates EVERYTHING that’s wrong with politics in the United States these days

Let’s bring it up a notch...
Guns:
Conservative View : Conservatives believe everyone, even that sketchy kid down the street with violent tendencies and selling crack, should be allowed to have an AK-47 because our great constitution allows it!
Liberal View : Liberals believe that guns should be allowed for protection to citizens who do not pose a threat to society.

Boy the fallicies just abound on this line! First off *most* conservatives do NOT want that crack dealer to have *any* weapons! And most of the liberals don't even believe in the right of self defense. IE: Druggie breaks into your house to rob and do bodily harm to anyone inside.

Conservative=opportunaty presents itself, shoot the druggie!
Liberal=Hide somewhere and call 911 and hope to god the police can get there in time.

messybuu

on Dec 10, 2004

J.E.: Reading it after all these months, I agree that it's a bit less objective than I believed it was when I wrote it. However, you didn't even try to be reasonable in your comparisons.

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