14 CHARACTERISTICS OF LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES - ECONOMY - 2025

The characteristics of liberals and conservatives are no longer so adverse; Although there are still points of divergence, such as the conception of religion, or the attitude towards changes, there are other aspects in which they converge, such as the importance of private property.

The origin of both doctrines dates back to approximately the 16th century. These thoughts have been transformed thanks to the passage of time and the interpretations of political actors from different times.

The differences between the two doctrines have been transformed, and the variations have been so many that today we can even speak of conservative liberals, or liberal conservatives.

Similarly, the characteristics of each doctrine may vary according to the historical moment and the region where they have been applied: for example, a European liberalism is not the same as a Latin American one.

However, there are some characteristics that can be considered essential in liberals and conservatives, regardless of origin.

Next, we will specify 5 characteristics of each of these doctrines.

Liberal Characteristics

1- Government guarantor, not protector

Liberal ideology holds that the State must guarantee that all citizens have the possibility of emerging economically and socially.

However, liberals are against the protectionist state. Liberal thought stipulates that individuals should have the same opportunities, but that progress will be made through the effort and ability of each individual.

2- Free market

Liberals consider that an economy of free trade favors the progress of a country.

The liberal doctrine is adverse to State interventionism and states that free trade allows the individual to achieve personal progress and, at the same time, helps to develop their counterparts in economic exchanges.

For liberals, a free market policy avoids the monopoly of the state. They do consider that there should be regulations, albeit minimal, to guarantee a fair market for all participants, but they establish that the State should participate as little as possible.

3- Separation of powers

Liberals believe in independent institutions from each other. The intention of this division of powers in terms of the functions that each one performs, responds to the interest of liberals to prevent the formation of a single State, with sufficient power to act arbitrarily against citizens.

On the contrary, liberals promote the creation of a decentralized government, with few control mechanisms, away from totalitarian notions.

4- Competitiveness

Liberals appreciate competitiveness as a way to put into practice the qualities of individuals and generate progress.

The competition is reflected in the different areas of the life of the liberals, especially the economic and political aspects. Liberal thought places special emphasis on competition as an essential element of the system.

5- Individualism

The liberal doctrine gives more importance to the individual over the group. Liberals argue that, based on the recognition of individual freedoms, nations will be able to progress.

Liberals are characterized by defending individual rights in the political, economic and social spheres. For liberals, the right to free thought and respect for individuality in general are very important.

Liberalism suggests that subordinating oneself to an institution is not part of the nature of individuals.

Liberals consider themselves masters of themselves, capable of making individual decisions that respond to their characteristics and interests.

6- Freedom of worship

The liberal doctrine promotes that each individual can freely choose his religion, not choose any or simply not believe and be able to express it without fear of reprisals. In turn, liberalism advocates a secular state.

7- De-politicization of the State

The liberal currents do not believe in the management by the State of elements such as education, justice, public services or health.

Conservative characteristics

1- Adverse to radical changes

Conservative thinking despises sudden and radical social changes. Conservatives establish that there is a social order, that it has a function and a reason for being, and that it must be respected.

This does not imply that conservatives deny changes in society, but they establish that there must be a balanced scenario and that the processes of social transformation must be generated in a fluid and progressive way, avoiding radicalisms that, according to them, do not generate sustained changes over time..

2- They defend private property

Conservatives favor private property. They consider it to be a basic and inalienable right that all people have.

Private property gives citizens a certain power, gives them their own spaces, which translates into freedom. Therefore, for conservatives, private property fulfills an important social function.

3- Traditional

Conservative thinking prioritizes the status quo; that is, to what is predetermined.

Therefore, conservatives feel identified with the maintenance of traditional institutions.

Conservatives maintain that, by maintaining traditional state structures, individuals will be able to control their instincts and be good citizens, framed by the law.

Conservative thinking keeps a very good idea of ​​the past, considers that traditional institutions are the basis of society and gives priority to these over new political ideas.

4- Linked with religion

Conservatives tend to identify with religion. They believe in an almighty God, and consider religious belief as an element that unites citizens and provides the moral basis for good action.

For conservatives, men have an urgent need to live religion; For this reason, they consider it a fundamental part of the lives of individuals.

In some cases, it has been seen that the laws of God have greater importance than the laws of men, since conservatives can come to give more preponderance to religion than to legality.

5- Nationalists

Conservatives place great value on their idiosyncrasies. They are nationalists, the sense of belonging to the country of origin is very great.

They give great importance to the independence of their nation, and to seek progress as a country, so that the benefits and qualities of its citizens can be highlighted.

This nationalist characteristic can take on different nuances: in cases like Adolf Hitler's, extreme nationalism produced one of the most heinous crimes in history.

However, a nationalist is also considered to be one who fully identifies with his homeland and wishes to proudly participate in the progress of the nation, without harming the other.

6- Family values

One of its fundamental pillars. They consider the traditional family as an institution to protect against the new family models (homoparental family, single parent family, etc.).

7- Right to life

Much influenced by the religious bond, conservatism has a great appreciation for life and rejects any tool that involves ending a person's existence (abortion, euthanasia, suicide, etc.).

References

1. "Economic liberalism" (April 24, 2009) in ABC Color. Retrieved on August 4, 2017 from ABC Color: abc.com.py
2. Olarieta, J. "The separation of powers in bourgeois constitutionalism" (April 2011) at the Complutense University of Madrid. Retrieved on August 4, 2017 from the Complutense University of Madrid: ucm.es
3. Leyva, K. "What is liberal individualism?" (16 September 2016) in Public Philosophy. Retrieved on August 4, 2017 from Public Philosophy: philosophiapublica.org
4. Montenegro, S. "A very conservative country" (June 19, 2011) in El Espectador. Retrieved on August 4, 2017 from El Espectador: elespectador.com
5. Restrepo, G. "Conservative Thought" in Banco de la República Colombia. Retrieved on August 4, 2017 from Banco de la República Colombia: banrepcultural.org
6. Romero, E. "The conservative mentality and the Catholic Church: criticism and defense through the satirical and traditional Santiago press (1883-1886)" (May 27, 2010) in Scielo. Retrieved on August 4, 2017 from Scielo: scielo.org.mx
7. Marco, J. “Conservatives, liberals and neoconservatives. Moral foundations of a free society ”(2005) in Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies. Retrieved on August 4, 2017 from the Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies: fundacionfaes.org