Liberals vs. Conservatives

Liberal Conservative

Democrat Republican

Liberals

– Believe in big government• Setting rules for business

• Setting rules for the economy

Ensure fair treatment for many groups

• Especially the poor

• Minorities: Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and others

Money

• Wealthier should pay more taxes

• Worry about government spending

• Support government programs to help poor

Conservatives

– Limit the government• Conservatives stress ‘freedom’ • More decisions without government

interference

• Reduce government spending

• Cut taxes

Reduce government

State governments are better than federal governments

Liberal Conservative

Democrat Republican

Meeting in the middle

Loving LiberalsCompassionate Conservatives

“Loving Liberals”

• Loving liberals implies wanting to help everyone

• Clinton began movement away from liberalism – will the Democratic Party continue to be less liberal?

“Compassionate Conservatives”

• Term used by George W. Bush to imply conservatives who still believe in some social issues

• Some conservatives distrust the government in being the best way to solve social issues, but still want the government to control some behaviors or attitudes

• Many Presidential candidates must stay true to the roots of their parties political affiliations – and appeal to some of the issues of the opposing political party (to attract swing voters)

Liberal Conservative

Democrat Republican

Meeting in the middle