AP GOVERNMENT Ideologies of Liberals vs Conservatives

LIBERAL IDEOLOGY

1. Government has an important role to play in society

2. The government should regulate the economy in order to ensure that efficiency is maximized and noneconomic interests are protected

3. Government should refrain from regulating moral issues in most cases. Issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, marijuana, and other private matters should be left up to individuals.

4. Government should spend money to assist citizens with social services, such as housing, food, and healthcare

CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGY

1. Government should play only a minimal role in society

2. The government should engage in minimal regulation of the economy; market forces maximize efficiency and solve most problems.

3. Government has an important role to play in regulating moral issues. The government should regulate moral issues in order to uphold traditional moral beliefs

4. Government funding of social goods should be limited. Citizens should not be restrained and should be expected to provide for themselves

Liberal Economy

1. Increased government regulation of business to protect workers and the environment

2. Markets need regulation to function efficiently

3. Favors taxation of businesses and the wealthy to support spending on public goods

Conservative Economy

1. Government should minimally regulate the economy

2. Market forces operate to produce efficiency and productivity in markets

3. Favors reduced taxation of businesses and the wealthy in order to stimulate the economy

Liberal Federalism

1. Favors federal power

Conservative Federalism

1. Favors states’ rights

Liberal National Security

1. Favors reducing military spending

2. Supports involvement in global affairs, diplomacy, and foreign aid

Conservative National Security

1. Favors increasing military spending

2. Supports limitations on foreign aid, limited involvement with foreign nations, and military strength

Liberal Social Welfare Programs

1. Increased funding of social welfare programs

Conservative Social Welfare Programs

1. Reduced funding of social welfare programs

Liberal Education

1. Increased funding of public education

Conservative Education

1. Vouchers and support for private and religious education

Liberal Immigration

1. Supports legal immigration and citizenship path for certain groups of undocumented immigrants

Conservative Immigration

Reduced legal immigration and opposes citizenship path for undocumented immigrants

Liberal Abortion Rights

1. Favors abortion rights(pro-choice)

Conservative Abortion Rights

1. Opposes abortion rights(Pro-life)

Liberal Civil Rights

1. Favors expanded civil rights protections

2. Favors affirmative action

Conservative Civil Rights

1. Favors limited civil rights protections

2. Opposes affirmative action

Liberal Environmental Protection

1. Favors regulations to protect the environment and combat climate change

Conservative Environmental Protection

1. Opposes government action to regulate business

2. Views climate change as an insignificant problem

Liberal Gun Control

1. Favors restrictions on gun purchases and ownership

Conservative Gun Control

1. Opposes restrictions on gun purchases and ownership

Liberal Healthcare

1. Supports expanded access and government involvement in healthcare

Conservative Healthcare

1. Favors private sector, free market healthcare system with minimal government involvement