Liberal or Conservative?
Throughout the years, the views of the government's role in a democratic society have changed, but the basic ideas and beliefs of liberalism and conservatism have stayed the same. While some individuals take an extreme side, others stand on a more neutral territory. To some conservatism might seem more logical, while to others liberalism might. Liberalism is more logical because it is open to change and acceptance, while conservatism is not. The differences between liberals and conservatives are extremely obvious. Liberals tend to believe that government should take a strong and positive action to solve the nation's economic and social problems (Sloan, 1). They believe it is the government's obligation to enhance opportunities for the economic and social equality of all individuals (1). According to Maddox and Lilie, democrats seem to take the Liberal side over the Conservative side (160). Issues such as programs to reduce poverty, abortion, and progressive taxation to redistribute income from wealthier to poorer classes tend to be supported by liberals. Where as conservatives take a different approach on things. Conservatives tend to believe in a limited role of the government, that every individual is responsi
ble for his own well being (Sloan, 1). Maddox and Lilie maintain that republicans tend to choose the conservative side over the liberal side (160). Issues such as the needy caring for themselves, abortion and gun control are usually supported by conservatives. They also tend to support more government regulation than liberals do (Sloan, 1). Although conservatives are against abortion, some do support the Death Penalty. By all means, if one commits a murder, they should be punished, but if you think about it, it's an interesting paradox. Shouldn't those who are opposed to abortion also be opposed to the death penalty? Abortion is killing someone innocent, but does it make it right to kill someone who is not? Murder is murder, is it not? Conservatives tend to contradict themselves more often than liberals. Although liberals and conservatives take very different positions on situations some things are taken the same. Both Conservatives and Liberals seem to take strong opposition to communism. Even though they share that similarity, according to Maddox and Lilie, certain limitations are shown (150). Liberals were "opposed to increases in military spending, most in favor of foreign aid, least strongly opposed to communism and most supportive of U.S. membership in the United Nations" (151). Where as conservatives were "least opposed to increased defense spending, most opposed to foreign aid, most strongly opposed to communism and least supportive of U.S. membership in the United Nations"
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Approximate Word count = 1016
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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