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