Liberalism vs Conservatism Mr Giesler P I G

Liberalism vs. Conservatism Mr. Giesler P. I. G.

Liberalism The first signs of liberalism may be discovered in the expansive political role being sought by increasingly large numbers of individuals and, more significantly, discreet groups of people with identifiable common interests. Remember your investigation of the French Revolution? ? John Locke expressed the principles of Liberalism in the British (and American) tradition. Locke’s Two Treatises of Government constitutes a most important statement on the liberal political philosophy that has influenced politics today. At the center of his writings are basic values that today remain as under girding for the entire liberal view. Government exists to serve the people and community it governs. The French Revolution remarks the Initial successes that the liberal movements had, as the name itself implies, a fundamental purpose of the revolution: to liberate people (The 3 rd Estate) from oppression.

In Europe by the late 19 th Century and in the United States by the early 20 th Century liberalism began to shift its emphasis from protecting individuals from oppressive governments to using government as a device to enable individuals to achieve a more meaningful and rewarding life. Government was seen as a positive force in shaping human affairs and society, but only if it was used properly and controlled by the people. Liberalism had come to recognize that powerful institutions in society had to be controlled and regulated by the instrument of the people if true liberation was to occur. Basic principles of liberalism: - the idea of a compact between the people and their government - the right of revolution if the compact is violated - natural rights as belonging to all people - faith in and support of human rational potential - limited powers of government - majority rule tempered by minority rights - support of change in society

Conservatism developed as a reaction to what was perceived as dangerous tendencies within the liberal movements toward radicalism Respect for authority, custom, and tradition permeate a conservative value system. Sir Edmund Burke - Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790). Expelled an intense opposition to and condemnation of the French Revolution as destructive to French society Believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense.

Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems. Core concepts: - high value on existing institutions as produced by custom and tradition - a belief in mankind's essential base and irrational nature - faith in some supernatural force guiding human affairs - acceptance of human inequality and the attending consequence of social hierarchy - recognition of the need for a sense of community among individuals that will bind them emotionally to their society.

Which One Is It? Liberal or Conservative? v Families know best how to raise their children. They tive need to be va r e s strengthened and have the right to raise their Conchildren the way they want. v It takes a “village” not alfamily to raise a child. Families need a r e b Li government help and oversight. e v their individual merit. ion t a v Society is composed of individuals to be judged v er s n o C Values individualism, self-reliance, and independence. v Sees society as composed of groups: black vs. white, old vs. young, rich vs. poor, male vs. female. groups are pitted against each other. Stirs al er. These Lib up racial and class envy and division.

v Society is responsible for individuals. Man is inherently good and ltalk about how we need to change a r something causes him to do wrong. i. They e Lb society when someone does wrong. Even terrorists need to be understood. v. Individuals are responsible for themselves and their actions. Crime ve should i t a rv is capable of e s be punished. Evil exists and good should fight against it. Man n Co good and evil. v. Seeks to equalize by redistribution. Supports welfare state. Government has a responsibility to provide all basic l needs to all who need them, and it is a r e Libthose that have and giving it to others, because morally justified taking from people are entitled to basic needs including housing, food, healthcare, and education. v. Opportunity for all to succeed or fail. Government is responsible to tive maintain an environment that fosters the greatestrvopportunity. Limit to how a e ons Welfare should help people much can be taken from people to give to. Cothers. to become independent and given to those truly incapable of taking care of themselves.

ive t a v ser on v Promotes. Cequal justice. v Competition is good Con ve ti a v r se al r e b Li v Promotes social justice. l a r e Lib v Competition is unfair. ive t a v v Supports lower taxes. Conser l v Supports progressive taxation with high taxes for the rich era b i L e v. Less government is better. Wants only necessary regulation ofrvbusiness, ativ se economy, and individual lives, resulting in more freedom. Con v. More government is better. Many regulations are necessary to achieve a l more fair & just berasociety which is government’s primary role, resulting in less freedom. Li

Small Group Activity q Breaking Down the Presidential Candidates q Refer to handout q Analyze the two candidates platforms and identify areas of each that are either truly liberal or truly conservative. Explain why!! q Identify any areas that may indicate that the candidate trends the other way. In other words, does the candidate have both conservative and liberal ideologies?