Liberalism and Conservatism

1. Liberalism and Conservatism

3. Liberalism • Government regulates economy to protect people from big business and wealthy elites • Government plays active role in helping disadvantaged Americans • Social Programs • Tax burden on wealthier people

4. Liberalism (continued) • No government regulations of social behavior • Free speech, privacy rights, religious freedom • Diverse society key • Higher taxes on the wealthy • Greater assets shoulder more costs • Redistribution

5. Conservatism • General distrust of government • Separation of Powers and Federalism key • Sep. of Powers: Three Branches of Government • Federalism: State and Federal Powers • Government should stay away from economy • Gov control makes economy less efficient, leads to more poverty, and causes overall loss of wealth

6. Conservatism (continued) • Oppose high taxes and redistribution programs • Take away incentives of hard work, discourage investments, and reduce amount of freedom in society • Free enterprise system is the best economic system • People and businesses will create wealth and higher standard of living if they make their own choices

7. Conservatism (Continued) • Government involvement in economy will lead to regulation of other behaviors • Fear restriction of freedom • Claim loss of upward mobility (ability to get to a higher standard of living) • Support some government regulation of social behavior • Example: Opposition to Roe v. Wade in regards to abortion

8. Conservatism and Religion • Believe that faith is vital to a successful society • Social problems result from morality and character issues • Should be addressed by religious faith and private efforts of churches, individuals, and communities

9. Class Discussion • Who are the liberal members of our government today? • Who are the conservative members of our government today?

10. Exit Slip • Do you tend to agree more with conservative or liberal beliefs? Explain your answer to this question citing at least 3 examples from class. • Did you agree with the result of the political spectrum activity on your own beliefs?

11. The Rise of Conservatism • Struggle against communism • Communist governments active in economy • Liberal ideals lead toward communism? • Liberals against defense spending to stop communism from spreading • Communism rejected religion • Americans viewed it as a battle between good and evil • Communism promotes economic welfare

12. Conservatism Grows • William Buckley’s National Review • Conservative Magazine • Spreading ideas via magazine, TV, radio • Role of Young Republicans • Young Americans for Freedom • Push for greater role in government • Conservative Republicans movement successful • Barry Goldwater gets GOP nomination (loses) • YAF supports conservative candidates

13. The Sunbelt • South and West very conservative • Southern conservatives (Democrat) • Western conservatives (Republican) • Northeast decided elections • Northeast liberal so liberal politicians won elections • Effects of WWII migration • Jobs and factories in south and west • Sunbelt’s economy expands • Image of federal government different

14. Sunbelt Conservatism • Northeast: Rustbelt • Higher unemployment, high pollution • Looked to government for help • Sunbelt • Opposed high taxes and federal regulations that could hinder growth • Southerners against Civil Rights • Westerners against environmental regulations on ranching, water use, and national resources

15. Sagebrush Rebellion • Conservatives against federal laws that hindered the region’s development • Battle over state v. federal powers (remember the ideals of conservatism) • Economic growth the key to this rebellion

16. Rise of Sunbelt Conservatism • 1980: Population of Sunbelt surpasses population of Rustbelt • Political power shift • Becomes evident with election of Ronald Reagan

17. Taxes and Conservatism • Middle-class Americans in suburbs felt they were losing ground economically due to taxes for federal programs • Tax revolt in California (Howard Jarvis 1978) • Americans believe government became too big and taxes were too high • Conservatives push for tax cuts and middle class votes are won

18. The Religious Right • Court Case Results Upset Conservatives • Roe v. Wade: Right to have an abortion protected by Constitution • Limitations of prayer in public schools • Protections on those accused of crimes • Other concerns for religious right: • Feminism • Equal Rights Amendment

19. The Religious Right (continued) • Evangelicals • Protestants who believe they are saved from their sins through conversion (born-again) • Make a personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ • Roles Billy Graham and Oral Roberts • Evangelicals spreading the word • 70 million Americans described as “born again” • Owned TV/Radio Stations, Newspapers, and Magazines

20. Televangelists • Evangelical ministers spreading the word via television broadcasts • Marion “Pat” Robertson: Christian Broadcasting Network • Jerry Falwell: Old-Time Gospel Hour • Moral Majority • Television and mail campaign to register new voters who backed conservative ideals • Falwell claimed to have registered 2 million voters by 1980

21. The New Republican Coalition • American society had lost its way • Watergate Scandal • Taxation • Special Interest Policies (Civil Rights, EPA) • Unemployment Rate • Inflation • Energy Crisis • Hostage Crisis • Vietnam • Soviet relations • Promises of stability and a return to a better time