Conservative vs Liberal Ideology
America is considered by many as the “Land of the Free”, wherein any person could practice his belief, ideology and affiliation without the need to fear the government from forced intervention. Civil liberties and human rights matter most for the Americans, especially under its Constitution. However, there have been chances wherein ideologies became the cause of conflict inside the country, which could be seen in the country’s two leading political parties: the Democrats and the Republicans. Conservatives supports the growth of capitalism and retention of traditional laws to sustain the growth of the country, while the Liberals support openness and equality while new policies are being introduced. Both ideologies are held highly in the US, and given the positions both sides would support in an issue, there would be benefits and setbacks that must be classified. Nonetheless, when it comes to public/social welfare, liberalism sets governments to an active position in ensuring that each individual is given their freedoms and at the same time, their welfare is sustained by the programs and services offered by the government.
Conservatism and Liberalism on Government Role for the Economy
According to Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt (2011), conservatism permits only a limited role for the government to aid its citizens or individuals for any given issue. Traditional values are also upheld by members of the conservatism groups, believing that patriotism is crucial in every action the government must hold. In addition to this, Conservatives believe that the private sector itself could outperform the government, making it capable of becoming an active actor on society and for any issue the country needs to face. In terms of the economy, conservatives argue that each individual is responsible for any action they would do for the sake of their well-being. The government, according to conservatism, should align towards capitalism as it will foster economic liberties, and social order.. Barrington (2012) also notes that conservatives also advocate stronger property rights and lesser regulation policies that would come from the government . Romano and Leiman (1970) also added that conservatives also view government intervention very undesirable and should be restricted to protection of individual property rights, fostering competition, peace-keeping, and defending the country against foreign and regional aggression.
Liberalism or the liberalist ideology, on the other hand, supports the active government action that would improve the welfare of the public, especially if these actions would be for the well-being of the public or civil rights. Change is the most important aspect for liberals as this would create positive reform between all social classes. American liberals note that the government must actively take positive action to reduce the country’s problems on poverty, taxation and even the economy. Liberals believe it is crucial to sustain the country and at the same time, the economy as it would provide equal opportunities to each American to improve their living and economic conditions. The government must also redistribute income coming from the wealthier classes to the impoverished classes through stipends or free public benefits. Liberals also push for economic security and social liberty as an important aspect the government must promote
Conservatives and Liberals on Public/Social Welfare
Conservatives also point out that if a society permits markets to allocate resources without influence from the government, it is possible to accumulate benefits such as freedom of choice, economic efficiency and a higher standard for living. Economic efficiency pertains to the application of the orthodox neoclassical economic theory, which enables markets to become efficient through flexible profits and prices. The diverted resources from flexible prices and profits are placed into areas wherein society would need them the most. Conservatives also argue that while economic activity still has the notions of lapses and fluctuations, the free interaction between individuals and a sound monetary policy would improve society. It is also notable in the conservative arguments is that the economic system is connected with man's pursuit to freedom. Conservatives agree with radicals that human freedom is linked with institutional frameworks which are connected to production. In this extent, the conservative stance notes that freedom is sustained with competitive capitalism. With their adherence to a somewhat passive role for active government role in aiding the public, conservatives oppose government programs that would redistribute income or status change for individuals. In modern conservatism, Welch, Gruhl, Rigdon and Thomas (2011) denotes that modern conservatism supports the argument that individuals and communities should be left out by their governments, similar to the notion of classical conservatism. Individuals and communities should be given the capacity to do as they please without being held back. Governments, under the conservatism banner, are given lesser powers and are concentrated mostly on state or local levels. Americans also take about small governments and lower taxes; however, they still retain a sense of familiarity and connection with services offered by the government, especially if the country is at the state of social risks.
Two of the notable conservatives that stressed the nature of conservatism in the field of public welfare are Adam Smith and Milton Friedman. According to Pack (2010) Adam Smith’s position on public welfare springs from private self-interested behavior that should be allowed to operate while managers flourish. In this extent, Smith believes that the government would be able to produce all kinds of rules and regulations to foster social welfare, opening the doors of the laissez-faire. In his book, Theory of Moral Sentiments, Smith also argues that the government should be allowed to legislate people even in the extent it would regulate what is beneficial to the public: such as restraining injustices, good discipline and even discouraging vices and impropriety . In addition to this, Evensky (2005) noted that Smith also believes that the government itself must provide institutions and services that would be capable of unleashing one’s human potential, and still not provide privately .
According to Fernando (2009) similar to Adam Smith’s perception on how businesses should perform economic functions and how governments should function, Friedman noted that the advocacy of social responsibility in business is a sign of pure socialism. He argued that business’s social responsibility is to make revenue as long as it caters and stay within the legal and moral rules set by society. Sandel (1998) also noted that Friedman opted to insist that opposing the welfare state in the name of individual freedom showcases true liberalism. Friedman stated that it is hard to justify graduated taxation as a means to redistribute income. To him, it is a form of coercion to take from others in order to sustain others, creating a problem on individual freedoms. If a person wishes to contribute to their retirement fund, for example, through the Social Security system; this must be done voluntarily as it would violate their freedoms if they are forced to pay these feeds. Friedman had even stressed that while some would think it is right to persuade someone to pay these retirement funds, it is not right to prevent a person from deciding for himself and using force to change his mind. Friedman also opposed policies on the grounds of additional policies such as minimum wage, housing subsidies, licensing, and other similar policies. He also stressed that government programs in the present are wrong to impose on others, especially as they hinder people from living their lives with their own terms .
In the case of the liberals, Zastrow (2009) noted that liberals adhere to an institutional view of social welfare due to the nature of society, with society now being complex. Liberals also believe that personal issues encountered by people tend to be caused by forces that are beyond the control of a person. Most of these causes could come from the person’s environment . Modern liberalism in the American political context covers the positive role of governments as they could also create assistance for individuals, businesses, and communities should they find themselves under social and economic problems. One notable example wherein liberalism plays a role in opening opportunities for governments to aid their constituents is Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, which enabled Americans to recover from the economic and social hardships caused by the Great Depression of the 1930s. The New Deal policies were also considered as measures to ensure that unrestrained free market economies would not present harsh consequences to the public as they would become regulated by the government’s policies and regulations. Similar to its classical tone, modern liberals believe that the government has an important role to make lives better for citizens. Recently, liberals are also very supportive over civil rights, especially the promotion of equality and opportunities for racial minorities and women. Nonetheless, while liberalism endorses government action to thwart economic distress, liberals oppose government intrusions, especially when it comes to personal choices or social issues. Liberalism also opposes government invasions of privacy, especially in phone calls and internet activity .
For the liberal school of thought, two notable liberals have been noted by experts when it comes to public welfare: John Stuart Mill and Joseph Schumpeter. In the case of Mill, he showcased a transition from the conservative laissez-faire system to a more aggressive role for the governments to correct and remedy the effects of industrialization. He is also considered as the defender of liberalism under the utilitarian grounds, claiming that society would improve under utilitarian terms rather than any non-liberal procedure. He also assumes that the state should be in charge of doing the best for the country; adding at the same time that the state would be able to successfully create better lives for the people if they are left alone to decide for themselves and just have the governments guide them. He also contends that since adults are capable of determining their own interests and their satisfaction, governments could punish people when they deter other people from living the best they could.
For Mill, he saw competitive economies force profit rates which may seize capital accumulation and may cause quality of life to dwindle. Mill also accepted that while the competitive market could be and the private-property base are necessary institutions in his period, Mill noted the possible creation of wage-price systems that would enable social arrangements to occur such as profit-sharing and voluntary cooperatives . Curtis (1981) also added that Mill also discusses the issue: what powers should society have over individuals? In his argument, Mill stresses that the individual influences both his mind and body and whatever it does are his choice. Self-protection, according to Mill, showcases the end which interferes with other’s liberties. Mill also believes in the concept of negative liberties, freedom with the absence of restraints. He also opposes coercion and tyranny, considering them a despotic attempt to ruin customs and traditions. In his works, Mill also argues the importance of freedom of thought and expression, which enables people and society to co-exist with one another as a whole. These freedoms enable a person to mature, develop and understand truths and stand from conflicts. Curtis noted that Mill never resolved the problem regarding the difference of freedom and government action
In the case of Schumpeter, Curtis noted that Schumpeter believes on the importance of innovation and flexibility to ensure that the economy continues to compete within various open economies in the system. In his book “Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942)”, Schumpeter praised Marx regarding the decline of capitalism and created his own model of the economic development of capitalism in his analysis of Marx’s economic capitalism decline. He explains that capitalist expansion happened thanks to the entrepreneurs who started the expansion. As a result of this expansion, it led to the capitalist construction and establishment of firms seeking profit and investment. Firms followed these entrepreneurs until such time the initial result of the capitalist construction is exhausted. Once businesses are repaid with their bank loans, deflation sets in, which would then cause the economy to readjust to accommodate it. Capitalism, Schumpeter cites, had already succeeded in increasing production, raising wages, and providing public welfare aid to the public and it will continue to do so to improve the nature of life and public welfare. He noted that with success comes the vanishing of opportunities that would enable investment and change in administration control, from the entrepreneur to the salaried executives who could not produce the same innovation . The chart below showcases a brief summary of the positions of both ideologies to public welfare and the position of both individual and government leaders as noted by the authors cited for this paper:
Conclusion
In today’s political and social standpoint, it is clear that both conservative and liberal ideologies play into effect in various aspects. Nonetheless, it could also be agreed by many that while they have conflicting perceptions over resolving public welfare and improvement of the economy and society; both ideologies present what they believe is beneficial for the country. On the one hand, conservative policies tend to give more power to the individual and lesser influential power to the governments to stress individual freedoms. While it is true that many value their civil liberties and freedoms, governments should still have some say over the improvement of life as noted by both Smith and Friedman. Governments must act in accordance to their powers to foster changers and peace and order to linger in the society while trading and economy fosters change in the public. On the other hand, liberalism pushes governments to act activity to improve life and at the same time, retain limits as to where they could intervene or influence an individual. As noted by Mill and Schumpeter, it would be disservice to individuals should they be forced to decide on something they do not wish to partake.
Reference
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Curtis, M. (1981). The Great Political Theories. New York: HarperColllins Publishers.
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Fernando, A. (2009). Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies and Practices. New Delhi: Pearson Education India.
Pack, S. (2010). Aristotle, Adam Smith and Karl Marx: On Some Fundamental Issues in 21st Century Political Economy. Glos: Edward Elgar Publishing.
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Sandel, M. (1998). Democracy's Discontent: America in Search of a Public Philosophy. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Welch, S., Gruhl, J., Rigdon, S., & Thomas, S. (2011). Understanding American Government. Boston: Wadsworth.
Zastrow, C. (2009). Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare: Empowering People. Belmont: Wadsworth.
