Here's one approach to defining Liberalims vs. Conservatism. This is one of the "optional readings" for our discussion this Sunday. It's an excerpt and summary of James Burnham's analysis of the American Conservative and Liberal "syndromes," from his book in the late 1950s, "Congress and the American Tradition." Unlike the other readings I found, this one is a bit dated, though still valuable, brief, and to the point. It also offers a view of how liberal and conservative views have drifted since the mid twentieth century. I couldn't find it online, but someone in our group emailed it to me, so I pasted it all here:


The Conservative Syndrome and the Liberal Syndrome


1. Conservatives believe that government involves a non-rational factor. Without allowance for magic, luck, or divine favor, there is no convincing explanation for why one government works better than another. There is no rational explanation for why one person should submit to the rule of another's absent habit, tradition, or faith. But without such submission, government dissolves or relies on force, which is nonrational. The conservative distrusts abstract political ideology as a principle or formula for political life.

Liberals have general confidence in the ability of the human mind to comprehend through rational science problems of government and society, and they often trust in a particular ideology as a key to a successful government.

2. Conservatives believe that human nature is essentially corrupt, or evil, and is limited in its potential; therefore, conservatives do not believe in utopian or ultimate solutions to major social problems.

Liberals believe that most human weaknesses and error are the result of weak social structure or inadequate education, for human potential, if not infinite, has no discernible a priori limitations; therefore, it is not unrealistic for humans to work toward an ideal society in which problems such as war, poverty, and suffering do not exist.

3. Conservatives respect tradition, established institutions, and conventional modes of conduct. They are reluctant to initiate quick or deep changes in traditional ways, and seek to restrict or slow the pace of changes that have become unavoidable or morally imperative.

Liberals do not believe tradition alone justifies favoring an institution or mode of conduct; and they are willing to accept quick, drastic, and extensive social changes based on rational and utilitarian grounds.

4. Conservatives believe in a diffusion of "sovereignty" and governmental power, thus honoring the "separation of powers" and "checks and balances" envisioned by the Constitution.

Liberals think that diffusion of power may be useful against "reactionary forces" but are not much troubled by most power's in the hands of beneficial social entities (the common man, the people, workers, and farmers) and will waive concerns about power altogether for certain ideological goals (full employment, racial equality, social welfare, or peace).

5. Conservatives reject unrestricted plebiscitary (direct election by all the people) democracy in favor of representative government in which a number of indirect institutions mediate between the people and those in charge.

Liberals tend to approve of plebiscitary democracy, seeking forms of government that express the will of the majority as directly and intimately as possible (e.g., direct popular elections for president, direct primaries, initiative and recall, popular referendums, election of judges, extension of suffrage, and the like).

6. Conservatives believe in "states' rights," or the retention by each state of an effective share of the federal Government's sovereignty, because this diffuses power.

Liberals see "states' rights" as either unimportant (an anachronism) or inefficient, for it leads to reactionary policies like pro-segregation, anti-labor, and anti-internationalist measures.

7. Conservatives believe in the autonomy of the various branches of the federal government, and oppose encroachment or usurpation by any of them upon the other branches. Liberals think that strict separation of the branches of government hinders government's ability to solve major problems.

8. Conservatives believe the public should support limiting government powers. Liberals think the public should support greater government power to accomplish progressive goals.

9. Conservatives feel that the American constitutional system embodies principles of clear and permanent value. Liberals hold that the Constitution is a living document, with its meaning dependent on time and circumstances.

10. Conservatives want decentralization and localization of government. Liberals think that decentralization and localization can hinder solutions to modern problems.

11. Conservatives believe private, profit-making enterprises are the most just and effective means for economic operation and development.

Liberals are critical of private economic enterprise, and believe in government control of private activities, if not some measure of government ownership. They find private enterprises are frequently opposed to the interests of the people and the nation, and that, in many cases, the government can do a better job than private enterprise.

12. Conservatives hold that the private life of the individual, as opposed to the destiny of the nation or of society, should be the focus of metaphysical, moral, and practical interest.

Liberals feel that an expanding sphere of government involvement ---in social and cultural life as well as in the economy ---results in the best mode of life for people. Thus, expansion of government activity aids in attainment of a good life.

13. Conservatives favor Congress over the executive branch of government. Liberals favor the executive branch, with its administrative bureaucracy, over Congress.