The Ideology of Liberalism and Conservatism

            Liberalism and Conservatism are both mainstream ideologies in Canadian society. "The ideology of liberalism is the dominant belief system in Canada and the United States". (Gibbons and Youngman 26). There are two schools of Liberalism: Classical and Reform. Liberals have a tendency to favor change, faith in human reason,willingness to use government to improve the human condition and are more optimistic .

             about human nature than Conservatives. Conservatives are interested in conserving something. Conservatism has the following characteristics: "A resistance to change,reverence for tradition and a distrust for human reason, rejection of the use of government to improve the human condition, and antiegalitarianism; distrust of human.

             nature" (Sargent 104). There are also two branches of Conservatism: Classical and Individualist. Liberals and Conservatives have different views on human nature, equality and freedom, and the role of the state. Even though Liberalism and Conservatism are opposing .

             ideologies, Classical liberals agree with Individualist conservatives on some issues.

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             Conservatism and Liberalism differ greatly in regard to human nature. "The liberal believes that human beings - all human beings - are capable of reason and rational action, but that they are often caught in difficult situations in real life" (Lawson 66). .

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             Everyone has the potential to become successful in life if there is a level playing field. "A liberal also believes that humans are naturally competitive and acquisitive. This falls from the assumption of self - interest. Each rational self-interested individual seeks to .

             improve his/her own lot in life; because resources are finite, individuals must compete to attain property" (Gibbons and Youngman 28). Conservatism doesn't have faith in human nature. "In the classic political tension between liberty and order, the conservative favors order. This allows for a more expansive, and at times even .

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