LIBERALISM AND CONSERVATISM

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

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

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

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

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

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

CLASS DISCUSSION Who are the liberal

members of our government today?

Who are the conservative members of our government today?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

RISE OF SUNBELT CONSERVATISM 1980: Population of Sunbelt surpasses

population of Rustbelt

Political power shift

Becomes evident with election of Ronald Reagan

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

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

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

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

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