Before I could understand the differences between liberalism and conservatism, I had to look at the "divisions" of each in different cultures and settings, discovering that the combinations were mind-boggling (ie right, left, center, neo, classical, traditional, and so on). No wonder the American public is confused: We, The People are American, therefore parts of many cultures, embracing various "titles" and "labels" representing our political stand. These are catapulted into facets that are as diverse as our melting pot of ethnic groups. Moreover, when a person reviews what was once conservative or liberal stands, one will find that those terms have changed over the years. So I ask, how can we "define" our personal view when looking for ONE PERSON to represent us all?
Conservatism - (right) a term derived from the Latin, com servare, to preserve; "to protect from loss or harm" - a term used to describe political philosophies that favor tradition and gradual change, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. Since different cultures have different established values, conservatives in different cultures have differing goals. Some conservatives seek to preserve the status quo or to reform society slowly. Many conservatives in America say that its founding fathers believed in God and that "rights endowed by their creator" are the basis for the U.S. Constitution.
-Religious conservatives seek to preserve the teachings of particular ideologies, sometimes by proclaiming the value of those teachings, at other times seeking to have those teachings given the force of law. Religious conservatism may support, or be supported by, DIFFERING secular customs, each strongly asserting both that their view is correct, and that opposing views are wrong.
-On economic policy and the economic system, conservatives and the right generally support the free market. Attitudes on some ethical issues - such as opposition to abortion - are described as 'anti-family'.
-Cultural conservatism is a philosophy that supports preservation of the heritage of a nation or culture. Politically conservative agendas may range from supporting the Vietnam War to upholding traditional moral and religious values to opposing welfare. Four researchers who culled through 50 years of research literature about the psychology of conservatism report that at the core of political conservatism is the resistance to change and a tolerance for inequality, and that some of the common psychological factors linked to political conservatism include: Fear and aggression; Dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity; Uncertainty avoidance; Need for cognitive closure; and Terror management. More recently as new social issues arise, right wing views have been concerned with keeping "traditional" values (often religious values) and the preservation of individual and corporate rights through constraints on government power.
LIBERALISM - (left) the word "liberal" derives from the Latin liber ("free, not slave"). The first English language use to mean "tending in favor of freedom and democracy", according to the OED, dates from about 1801 and comes from the French libéral; It is widely associated with the word "liberty" and the concept of freedom.
-Cultural liberalism generally opposes government regulation of literature, art, academics, gambling, sex, prostitution, abortion, birth control, terminal illness, alcohol and drugs. Most liberals detest government intervention in these areas. Libertarians prefer to think in terms of liberty vs. authority rather than socialism vs. capitalism.
-Political liberalism bestows the rights of citizenship to all adults regardless of sex, race, or economic status and emphasizes the rule of law and supports democracy. Liberals are skeptical of censorship, and advocate extensive freedom of thought, and speech, while favoring the limitation of government power. They celebrate free and open debate, should be tolerant and respectful of difference therefore support the civil rights movement, affirmative action, the Equal Rights Amendment and the rights of gays and lesbians. Liberalism emphasizes individual rights/liberty and equality of opportunity. They must respect and affirmatively safeguard the liberty, equality and dignity of each individual protecting the rights of racial, religious and ethnic minorities, political dissidents, persons accused of crime and the outcasts of society, the right to counsel, a broad application of the right to due process of law and the principle of equal protection for all people. It is our responsibility to help those who are less fortunate by supporting government programs to improve health care, education, social security, job training and welfare for the neediest members of society. It is liberals who have opposed and continue to oppose school prayer and the teaching of creationism in public schools and who support government funding for stem-cell research, the rights of gays and lesbians and the freedom of choice for women. They demand legal protections to avoid the conviction of innocent people in the criminal justice system, reasonable restraints on government surveillance of American citizens, and fair procedures to ensure that alleged enemy combatants are in fact enemy combatants.
-Social liberals support universal education, and many also support "a" provision of welfare, including unemployment benefits, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick, all supported by taxation. In general, the left-wing tends to uphold a secular society, egalitarian and multicultural - is that not the definition of an American?
Does this mean "we" are ALL a "REFINED MIX?" And that the only choice for President is one who upholds the very document that made America - America? Vote the Constitution!