Contrasting Liberal and Conservative
Ideology
Mankind is essentially
Liberals would say-– Unified– Equal – Trustworthy
Conservatives would say-– Divided– Not equal – Not trustworthy
The need for Barriers
Liberals would say-Barriers keep man from
being unified and equalGovernment is an instrument
for removing barriersConservatives would say-A harmonious society is not
possible without certain restraints (Barriers)
Government is the instrument to put barriers in place
View of History
Liberals History is progressiveGovernment intervention is
accepted as necessary to remove barriers
Conservatives History is elite drivenGovernment intervention is
accepted as a necessary guardian of the non-elites
View of Society
Liberals Flexible Social MobilitySocial Class based on
competitionConservatives Rigid Social MobilitySocial Class based on
maintaining elite status
View of Opportunity
Liberals Equal OpportunitySeek to Narrow gap
between upper and middle class
Conservatives Privileges for the Elites Seek to maintain
separation between upper and middle class
View of Democracy
Liberals Direct DemocracyFreedom
Conservatives Indirect DemocracyLiberty
View of International Cooperation
Liberals Support International
cooperation
Conservatives Less International
cooperation
Education
• Liberal– Favor teaching
approaches that allow student involvement and individuality–Used to remove
barriers
• Conservatives– Favor teaching
restraint and respect for laws–Different
education for elites than working class