What, exactly is the difference between a liberal and a conservative?

Answer 1

There no such thing as an "exact" explanation. But here's a good way to start looking at it. In "The Federal Courts, Politics, and the Rule of Law," by John C. Hughes (published 1995), it says:

"In the contemporary political context, those who fear conformity have tended to describe themselves as liberal and have tended to applaud judicial 'protection' of human rights. Those who fear diversity have tended to call themselves conservatives and have been appalled by judicial 'usurpation' of the majority's discretion to form the kind of community it finds most conducive to its own happiness. The former tends to approve of the expansive theories of constitutional interpretation, while the latter tends to prefer the restrained theories of judicial review. These alignments are neither perfect nor inevitable, but the debate has surely been shrill."

Answer 2

Liberals are basically democratic. They are more left wing and suport social change and support, such as welfare. One example of a liberal view is they support a pro-choice view on abortion. Conservatives are republicans. They are more right wing and want to rely less on government support. One example of a conservative view is that they are pro-life on the abortion issue. Between them is the moderate view, which is a little bit of both. In short, liberals want alot of change, and conservatives want to "conserve" or keep most everything the same.

Answer 3

Conservatives are opposed to:
Gay marriage
Communism
Public nudity
Socialism
Liberals
Drugs
Civil rights
Conservatives support:
The economy
A strong military
Morality
Capitalism
The stupid liberals oppose:
A strong econmy
Morality
A strong military
Capitalism
The stupid liberals support:
Gay marriage
Communism
Public nudity
Socialism
Liberals
Drugs
Civil rights

Answer 4

I am sooo tired of the polarization of our country. Labels like neocon and liberal. If you think for yourself and formulate an opinion, you are categorized and dismissed as a member of this group or that group. Quit it!!!! Think for yourself and act accordingly. Vote for what is right and fair, not what the television tells you to vote for! Sound bites are not policies, watch how your elected vote, therein lies the truth!!!! The preceding opinions are mine, and unfortunately no one elses....I wonder if I can get a job in Ireland?

P.S. Sieg Heil bigsey93brady12

Answer 5

To make it simple, generally Liberals are Democrats and Conservatives are Rebulicans.

Answer 6

Liberals are baby-aborting, gay-allowing, media darlings who claim to want to bring the country in a "new direction" yet never specify what exactly that direction is. Conservatives have principles that they stick to, such as lowering taxes, making government smaller in everyday life, and standing up in the face of adversity (the War on Terror.)

Answer 7

I don't know about the USA but in Oz the liberals are "conservative" and the labor party is supposedly "socialist'

Answer 8

simply put a liberal gives
a conservative saves
that's the easy part from here comes many mind set positions on that articulated ideal.

Answer 9

Liberals believe in the supremacy of the state and not the individual. The state is the answer for all your needs and wants. Republicans believe in the free will of the individual.

Answer 10

Tax-and-spend liberals vs. borrow-and-spend conservatives.

black knuckles: STFU and get the fvck off the boards, you're not doing a goddamn thing except being an irritating hemmorhoid on the butthole of Y!A..