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Salt Lake Community College

Core Themes: Liberalism vs. Conservatism

Jamison Pittl

Political Ideologies
2300-400
Colin Moore
6-12-2016

There are many different political ideologies and various forms of each
in between, however, there are two in particular that seem to be on opposite
ends of the spectrum in regards to core themes, values, and beliefs.
Liberalism and conservativism stand in stark contrast of each other.
Liberalism, based on individuality and progressive change while
conservatism is based on tradition and a hierarchy of authority.
Liberalism is founded upon five core themes consisting of
individualism, freedom, reason, justice, and toleration. Liberals are of the
belief that individuals possess personal and distinctive qualities, each of their
own importance and special value (p. 27). Thus putting emphasis on ones
capability to be self-sufficient and reliant. Freedom is defined as, The ability
to think or act as one wishes (p. 29). Freedom is such a large component
in the ideology of liberalism as without it, individualism would not be
possible. Rationalism is the belief that knowledge flows from reason rather
than experience (p. 32). Liberals are of the belief that through ration and
reason conflict can not only be resolved, but also prevented. Liberalists are
progress oriented and view a rational thought process as a means to
achieving future goals. Through justice, or a moral standard of fairness,
liberals believe individuals will be able to have an equal opportunity to
develop their unequal skills and abilities. Liberals are very willing to accept
those of different cultural, moral, and political backgrounds, making
toleration and acceptance of the utmost importance (p. 61).

The political ideology of conservatism is based upon five major

themes: tradition, human imperfection, organic society, hierarchy and
authority, and property. A very large part of conservativism is resistance to
change for the sake of tradition. Whether it be on the grounds of religion,
ancestral respect, personal identity, or just plain history, tradition generates
security and belonging while change represents a journey into the
unknown (p. 69-70). Conservatives are also of the belief that humans are
both imperfect and unperfectible. Meaning, humans are selfish, and greedy
who strive for power and commit crimes as a primal instinct. In regards to an
organic society, conservatives believe that an individual cannot exist outside
of society. They are dependent beings with a need to belong. Hierarchy and
authority are a very large theme in conservatism. Conservatives believe that
society needs to have different classes and that social equality is not
possible. Conservatives also believe that authority develops naturally.
Conservatism is based around money, hard work, merit, and the belief that
these foundational values should in turn, give one the opportunity to obtain
property (p. 72-75).
Conservative themes vary greatly from those of liberals. While Liberals
are extremely progressive and welcome change, conservatives are afraid of
it and relish the idea of tradition. Conservatives are lacking in reason while
liberals base their ideology off of it. Liberals believe in a rise of power
through merit and hard work while conservatives believe inequality is

inevitable and unavoidable. In comparison, these two ideologies are almost

opposites of each other.
As these core themes largely reflect the values and beliefs of those
affiliated with each ideology, they greatly impact how one may react to
certain political issues. For example, in regards to abortion, those who
believe in an individuals right to decide and those who believe to tolerate
and accept others decisions towards the matter are displaying values similar
towards that of a liberal and would most likely be pro-abortion. People who
view abortion as a break away from the past or a religious sin, are
manifesting the same beliefs of a conservative and would most likely be
against abortion (StudentNewsDaily.com, 2010). If the same themes were
applied to the issue of gay marriage, the end result would be very much the
same. Those who share the values of tolerance, acceptance, and
individuality would be close in line with liberals and would most likely be pro
same-sex marriage. Others who value human imperfection, tradition (usually
those of a religious background), and a hierarchy of authority will sympathize
more with conservatives and most likely be anti-same sex marriage. The core
themes that correspond with each political ideology coincide with an
individuals personal core themes and values. As was shown above, similar
values to those of each political ideology result an in individual taking the
same stance to certain political issues as that of their corresponding
ideology.

Through individual themes, values, and beliefs, it is very clear that

liberalism and conservatism are vastly different from each other. Liberals are
progressive individualists who welcome diversity. Conservatives are
traditionalists who believe in organic society and through which, equality is
unobtainable. Though these themes may be different, it is through these
themes that one may identify with various political ideologies.

References

Heywood, A. (2012). Liberalism. In Political ideologies: An introduction (5th ed., p. 27, 29, 32,
70, 73-75). Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
StudentNewsDaily.com. (2010). Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs. Retrieved from
https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/