Liberals are those people who follow and support the political philosophy of liberalism, which defends individual freedom above all else. Conservatives, on the other hand, follow the current of thought known as conservatism, which defends the maintenance of the traditions of society.
Liberals
Liberals are those people who identify with the philosophy of liberalism, which proposes freedom and tolerance towards human relationships. This policy defends free will and the principle of non-aggression, promotes civil and economic freedoms, opposes absolutism, enlightened despotism,
and conservatism.
The rule of law, the division of powers, and representative democracy are based on this current.
John Locke was the first to develop a similar philosophy, a liberal doctrine where he established the right to private property and the consent of the governed.
Liberalism restricts the intervention of the State in the social, economic, and cultural life of a nation and defends private initiative as a means for economic growth.
Liberals seek to take the ideologies, experiences, and beliefs acquired during the life of the human being with the aim of creating a new concept of free life in the human environment.
Among its main representatives we have:
Main managers
- John Locke (1632-1704)
- Adam Smith (1723-1790)
- Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
Conservatives
Conservatives are those who favor traditions, oppose radical political, economic, and social changes, oppose progress, and are often represented by the center-right and right-wing.
Socially, conservatives defend family and religious values.
Conservatism is a mental model that has been instilled individually or collectively in people and is based on the teachings acquired by humanity to shape the habits of people according to their beliefs.
In ancient times they were opposed to the free market, but in the 20th century, they began to adopt liberal economic policies in order to join the trend-setting political parties. In this way, conservatives ended up supporting capitalist systems in opposition to socialism and communism.
The fusion between liberal and conservative thoughts is known as conservative liberalism.
Conservatives may seek to maintain traditions or they may seek slow progress within the established social order.
Among its main defenders we have:
- Robert Filmer (1588-1653).
- François René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848).
- Carl Schmitt (1888-1985).
Difference between liberals and conservatives
- Liberals seek changes that defend and favor individual freedom in order to lead a society to progress.
- Conservatives seek to maintain norms and traditions in order to defend social or religious values.
- Conservatives are protectionists and defend nationalism, seeking to maintain national values and identity.
- Liberals reject trade restrictions and defend internationalism.
- Both liberals and conservatives defend the capitalist socioeconomic system and oppose socialism and communism. Conservative liberalism defends private property over the public.
- Liberals advocate a non-interventionist rule of law, which guarantees individual liberty and the equality of all before the law.
- Conservatives want the State to act whenever society needs it.
- Conservatives seek regulations that protect domestic production.
- Liberals support unrestricted free trade to encourage private initiative.
- Liberals support reducing public spending and welfare programs.
- Conservatives argue that the government should ensure the welfare of society when necessary.
- Liberals support abortion in certain circumstances.
- Conservatives are against abortion.
- Liberals support same-sex marriage and individual rights.
- Conservatives are against same-sex marriage.
- Liberals believe that the weight of the State in the functioning of society should be limited, they value democracy and the right to vote.
- Conservatives reject state intervention in society, value the class structure and oligarchic tendencies.
