Liberal vs. Conservative

Liberal, economic

•Increased government regulation of business to protect workers and the environment

•Markets need regulation to function efficiently

•Favors taxation of businesses and the wealthy to support spending of public goods

Conservative, economic

•Government should minimally regulate the economy

•Market forces operate to produce efficiency and productivity in markets

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

Liberal, national security

•Favors reducing military spending

•Supports involvement in global affairs, diplomacy, and foreign aid

Conservative, national security

•Favors increasing military spending

•Supports limitations on foreign aid, limited involvement with foreign affairs, and military strength

Liberal, federalism

•Favors federal power

Conservative, federalism

•Favors states’ rights

Liberal, social welfare programs

•Increased funding of social welfare programs

Conservative, social welfare programs

•Reduced spending of social welfare programs

Liberal, education

•Increased funding of public education

Conservative, education

•Vouchers and support for private and religious education

Liberal, immigration

•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

•Favors abortion rights (pro-choice)

Conservative, abortion rights

•Opposes abortion rights (pro-life)

Liberal, civil rights

•Favors expanded civil rights protections

•Favors affirmative action

Conservative, civil rights

•Favors limited civil rights

•Opposes affirmative action

Liberal, environmental protection

•Favors regulations to protect the environment and combat climate change

Conservative, environmental protection

•Opposes government action to regulate business

•Views climate change as an insignificant problem

Liberal, gun control

•Favors restrictions on him purchases and ownership

Conservative, gun control

•Opposes regulations on gun purchases and ownership

Liberal, healthcare

•Supports expanded access and government involvement in healthcare

Conservative, healthcare

•Favors private sector, free-market healthcare system with minimal government involvement