Compare and contrast modern conservatism and modern liberalism - Essay Example

?Compare and contrast modern conservatism and modern liberalism Ever since the concept of or society originated, various types of political andsocial ideologies have occupied significant position in society, especially because such ideologies direct the beliefs and conduct of statesmen, political thinkers, and ordinary citizens. Two of the most recognized ideologies in the recent world are modern conservatism and modern liberalism, both of which emerged in the second half of the twentieth century, following World War II. One of the striking similarities between modern conservatism and modern liberalism is that both of them have changed considerably from their original ideologies, traditional conservatism and social liberalism. Whereas the classical liberals understood liberty and private property as intimately related, modern liberalism has rejected such an intimate relationship mainly due to the pressures of a free market in the modern world. “What has come to be known as ‘new’, ‘revisionist’, ‘welfare state’, or perhaps best, ‘social justice’, liberalism challenges this intimate connection between personal liberty and a private property based market order…” (Guide, pg. 9) In the same way, modern conservatism has also changed drastically from the ideologies of the classical liberalism. To distinguish between the two, Modern conservatism is an ideology which combines elements from traditional conservatism as well as libertarianism, whereas modern liberalism combines social liberalism and social progressivism. It is, however, essential to realize that the modern versions of both the ideologies share deep philosophical roots, which call for a clear understanding of their origins and development. This paper makes a reflective analysis of comparison and contrast between modern conservatism and modern liberalism, in order to realize the essential tenets of these ideologies in relation to current politics. One of the major requisites of the comparative analysis of modern conservatism and modern liberalism is a thorough understanding of the underlying principles of both these ideologies. In an attempt to classify the major arguments of modern conservatism, one may recognize that the body of opinion called conservatism does not have a clear-cut dogma or ideology. Rather than a system of ideological dogmata, it is mainly a body of sentiments which upholds the attitude we call conservatism. As Russell Kirk remarks, “Perhaps it would be well, most of the time, to use this word “conservative” as an adjective chiefly. For there exists no Model Conservative, and conservatism is the negation of ideology: it is a state of mind, a type of character, a way of looking at the civil social order.” (Guide, pg. 40) However, a clear understanding of the major tenets of modern conservatism suggests that it is an ideology which shows respect for the institutions of law, Constitution and the rights of the people. Although it has changed many of the traits of true conservatism, modern conservatism has played a crucial role in the equality, liberty, justice, and education of the people in the modern states. This fact is clear from Russell Kirk discussion of the ten principles that have loomed large during the two centuries of modern conservative thought, and he specifies that the conservative understanding of justice, education, etc have similar significance in the modern world. In his comparison of the ideologies of modern conservatism and modern liberalism Russell Kirk considers that the former has more relevance than the latter. According to him, the great line of demarcation in modern politics is between the ultimate principles of these ideologies: “on one side of that line are all those men and women who fancy that the temporal order is the only order, and that material needs are their only needs, and that they may do as they like with the human patrimony. On the other side of that line are all those people who recognize an enduring moral order in the universe, a constant human nature, and high duties toward the order spiritual and the order temporal.” (Guide, pg. 47) Therefore, it is fundamental to maintain that modern conservatism is more concerned with moral order, equality, liberty, justice, etc, whereas modern liberalism advocates material needs and ultimate liberty of individuals. In a reflective analysis of the origin of modern liberalism, it is important to realize that various factors contributed to the rise of modern liberalism and these include the popularity of democracy, the experience of the Great Depression, and WWII. The alteration and modification of classical liberalism was due to the continued democratization of the state, the experience of the Great Depression, and WWII. It is important to note that modern liberalism was less skeptical of government action, more concerned with substantive equality, more skeptical of “free-markets”. In order to comprehend the major principles of modern liberalism, it is pertinent to recognize that “Liberals today believe that government must protect individuals from the inequities of modern society and correct the injustices and failures of “free-market” capitalism including environmental degradation. Liberals extend broad tolerance to different lifestyles and favor limiting government interference in individual rights e.g. the ACLU.” (PowerPoints, Modern Liberalism, pg. 3) Individual liberty, absence of restraints by the state, equality, universalism, economic freedom, etc. are some of the basic tenets of classical liberalism which are relevant in modern liberalism as well. In today’s political scenario, the debates over the tenets of modern conservatism and modern liberalism have great significance as the principles of both these ideologies determine the policies and working of the government. Significantly, both modern conservatism and modern liberalism are dominant ideologies of US politics today and they are centrist ideologies which affect the policy matters of all the political parties. In the lights of the arguments by Brooks (conservative), Krugman (liberal), and Zakaria (former conservative), one realizes that it is the need of the day that both these ideologies uphold the basic tenets of their philosophy in order to meet the challenges of the modern world. As Brooks observes, “We live in a country in which many people live in information cocoons in which they only talk to members of their own party and read blogs of their own sect. They come away with perceptions fundamentally at odds with reality, fundamentally misunderstanding the man in the Oval Office.” (Guide, pg. 49) Here, it is difficult to establish the essence of political thinking or the guiding principles of each political act. The tenets of modern conservatism are followed closely by the politicians today, which is many often misinterpreted by other political fractions. Thus, a profound analysis of the tenets of modern conservatism and modern liberalism suggests that both the ideologies are relevant in the modern world, although modern conservatism seems to be the guiding principle of many political activities today. Works cited Guides Power Points Read More