Liberalism

Conservatism.

Nature of Man

Reasonable, Farsighted, Altruistic, Cooperative. Capable of Changing.

Self-centered, passion-driven, short-sighted. Fixed nature.

Nature of Society

A collection of individuals.

An organic entity, with its own life and life cycles.

Efficacy of Human Action

Positive, Creative, Ameliorative.

Destructive, Disruptive of proper order.

Highest Virtues

Freedom, Individualism, Creativity, Innovation.

Order, Stability, Tradition, Precedent, Restraint, Control.

Ideal Social Structure

Democratic, Fluid, Non-restrictive.

Elitist, Restrictive, Rigid.

Purpose of Social Institutions

To serve the needs of humankind.

To restrain the human beast and preserve social and natural order.

Purpose of Government

To protect individual rights.

To impose and maintain social stability and order.

Religion and Society

Private religion, Freedom of Faith, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Worship, Separation of Church and State.

Public religion, Established church or churches, Compulsory participation. Church and State work together to restrain humankind's worse impulses and to impose and maintain order.

Government and the People

Sovereignty in the People, Government by consent of the governed. People create the government, participate in it, and change it to suit their needs.

Sovereignty in the state. People owe obedience to the government, and must not challenge its authority.

Major figures

John Locke, Roger Williams, Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Hobbes, John Calvin, Edmund Burke, Alexander Hamilton.