Defining Conservatism
Here's how some organizations, individuals, Web sites, and reference works have defined a conservative.
1. A conservative tends to be for the free market in economic affairs, and against what he calls "big government" -- an excessive federal bureaucracy that intervenes in a wide range of social and economic areas. Conservatives prefer a kind of individualistic self-sufficiency. On social issues conservatives are pro-family, anti-abortion, and in general support traditional moral values and religion. Conservatives usually favor a strong military. -- iAmericanSpirit Political Dictionary
2. Conservatives tend to uphold tradition and oppose major changes in laws and institutions. Change, when thought to be necessary, should be gradual and minimal. Conservatives generally oppose "big government" and support free-market economic policies and low taxes. A conservative is a person to the right of center on the U.S. political spectrum. Of the two main political parties, the Republican Party is regarded as being the more conservative. -- Election Glossary, Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
3. [Conservatives] traditionally stand for low taxes, a strong military, traditional values, and little intervention by government in everyday life. -- Harvard University Institute of Politics Glossary of Political Terms
4. Conservatism is generally associated with the following views: Personal responsibility. General opposition to "big government" policies or state economic intervention. Support for Judeo-Christian religious and moral values. Support for strong law enforcement and strong penalties for crimes. Restraint in taxation and regulation of businesses. Support for a strong military, and well-defended protected borders with regulated immigration. -- Word iQ
5. Conservative. A political point of view characterized by relatively high support for activist government intervention to enforce traditional morality or social values coupled with relatively high opposition to activist government when it comes to intervening in economic or business affairs. -- Paul M. Johnson (Auburn University)
6. Conservatives generally believe that there exists [an eternal] moral order, to which we ought to try to conform the ways of society. Conservatives uphold the principle of social continuity. They prefer the devil they know to the devil they don't know. Order and justice and freedom, they believe, are the artificial products of a long and painful social experience, the results of centuries of trial and reflection and sacrifice. Human nature suffers irremediably from certain faults, the conservatives know; man being imperfect, no perfect social order can ever be created. -- Russell Kirk in The Conservative Mind
Defining Liberalism
Here's how some organizations, individuals, Web sites, and reference works have defined a liberal.
1. A person who believes it is the duty of government to improve social conditions and create a more equal society. Liberals favor generous spending on the welfare state; they exhibit a concern for minorities, the poor, and the disadvantaged and often see these conditions as a product of social injustices rather than individual failings. Liberals also tend to be concerned about environmental issues, the defense of civil liberties, and do not favor excessive military spending. -- iAmericanSpirit Political Dictionary
2. "Liberal" signifies an openness to change and respect for individual liberties in a society in which all have equal opportunity. -- Mike Silverman (<), TurnLeft.com
3. Liberals tend to favor greater federal power to remedy social inequities, and to support freedom of personal choice and behavior. Liberals are described as being left of center on the political spectrum. Of the two major political parties, the Democratic Party is generally regarded as being more liberal. -- Election Glossary, Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
4. Liberalism is not so much a party creed or set of fixed platform promises as it is an attitude of mind and heart, a faith in man's ability through the experiences of his reason and judgment to increase for himself and his fellow men the amount of justice and freedom and brotherhood which all human life deserves. -- Sen. John F. Kennedy (>), September 14, 1960
5. The following views could be considered typical of American liberalism today: Support for government social programs such as welfare, medical care, unemployment benefits, and retirement programs. Support for labor unions and strong regulation of business. Support for the rights of women and minorities, particularly racial and religious minorities, the disabled, and homosexuals. Support for strong environmental regulations. Support for public transit. Opposition to the death penalty. Support for abortion rights. Support for animal rights. Support for gun control. -- Word iQ
6. A liberal is someone who strives for individual freedom and liberty. He believes in enforcing laws, free enterprise, and worker protection. She believes in quality education, nondiscrimination, and environmental protections. Liberals try to use the government to improve the quality of life of American citizens. -- Amy Schley, The Missouri Miner
Excerpted from the article “Defining Liberalism.” Advocates for Self Government. http://www.theadvocates.org/index.html. <September 27, 2007>