1 In the following slides, you will be asked a series of questions. Answer honestly – only your opinion matters. You will not be asked to share your results. Answer by writing the number corresponding to your answer.

2 Military service should be voluntary – no draft. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

3 Government should not control radio, TV, the press, or the Internet. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

4 Repeal regulations on sex by consenting adults. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

5 Drug laws do more harm than good. Repeal them. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

6 Let peaceful people cross borders freely. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

7 Businesses and farms should operate without government subsidies. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

8 People are better off with free trade than with tariffs. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

9 Minimum wage laws cause unemployment. Repeal them. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

10 End taxes. Pay for services with user fees. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

11 All foreign aid should be privately funded. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

12 What are “Liberalism” and “Conservatism”? Team up with the person next to you. Between the two of you, come up with a definition for “liberalism” and a definition for “conservatism.” Each definition should be no more than one or two sentences.

13 What are “Liberalism” and “Conservatism”? Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Liberalism is “a political philosophy based on belief in…the essential goodness of the human race, and on the autonomy of the individual, and (stands) for the protection of political and civil liberties.” Conservatism is “a political philosophy based tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change.”

14 Representative Ted Weiss (D, NY) “Liberals believe (that) government has an obligation to provide equal educational and job opportunities for all. To those whose survival requires economic assistance, government should extend a helping hand. Individual liberties and human rights must be safeguarded from and by government.” What are “Liberalism” and “Conservatism”? Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Liberalism is “a political philosophy based on belief in…the essential goodness of the human race, and on the autonomy of the individual, and (stands) for the protection of political and civil liberties.”

15 Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Conservatism is “a political philosophy based tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change.” What are “Liberalism” and “Conservatism”? Senator John Tower (R, TX) “Conservatives have more faith in people than in government institutions, and would keep government out of issues that can be handled in the private sector.”

16 Drug War What Issues are “Liberal” versus “Conservative”? “Conservative” “Liberal” Universal Health CareMinimum WageReduced TaxesGay MarriageMandatory Prayer in Public SchoolProhibit Prayer in Public SchoolFree Trade

17 What Issues are “Liberal” versus “Conservative”? “Conservative” “Liberal” Universal Health Care Minimum Wage Reduced Taxes Gay Marriage Mandatory Prayer in Public School Drug War Prohibit Prayer in Public School Free Trade Rather than thinking in terms of “liberal” and “conservative”, think in terms of “more individual freedom” vs. “less individual freedom”.

18 Two spheres in which humans exercise freedoms: Social sphere  where they choose how to behave Economic sphere  where they enter into contracts with others The two spheres are not necessarily independent. Choice to marry a goat = social choice Choice to buy foreign goods = economic choice Choice to do drugs = social choice Choice to buy drugs = economic choice Less Individual Freedom vs. More Individual Freedom Less Freedom More Freedom Universal Health Care Minimum Wage Reduced Taxes Gay Marriage Mandatory Prayer in Public School Drug War Prohibit Prayer in Public School Free Trade

19 Better terms are: Controlvs.Freedom Centralized Decision Makingvs.Decentralized Decision Making Power from Abovevs.Power from Below Slaveryvs.Liberty The terms “liberal” and “conservative” are ambiguous.

20 Less Social Freedom More Social Freedom More Economic Freedom Less Economic Freedom Less Individual Freedom vs. More Individual Freedom Universal Health Care Minimum Wage Reduced Taxes Gay Marriage Mandatory Prayer in Public School Drug War Prohibit Prayer in Public School Free Trade

21 Who is “Liberal” and Who is “Conservative”? “Conservative” “Liberal”

22 Who is “Liberal” and Who is “Conservative”? Socially “Conservative” Economically “Conservative” Economically “Liberal” Socially “Liberal”

23 Socially “Conservative” Socially “Liberal” Economically “Conservative” Economically “Liberal” Economic Freedom Personal Freedom

24 Economic Freedom Personal Freedom “Democrat” “Republican” Classical Liberal Authoritarian Centrist

25 What kind of society do we want to live in? Take a few minutes to list what you want from a well-functioning social order. Keep the list abstract. “Prosperity” not “adequate per-capita income”

26 Freedom to chooseProsperity OpportunitySecurity People acting wellIndependence Ability to pursue happinessPeace StabilityAccountability Equality under the lawJustice Protection of property rights

27 What is more important? Copy the list and identify the four items of highest priority (in your opinion). Write a #1 next to the highest priority item, #2 next to the second highest priority item, etc.

28 Does the importance change? You have identified the four most important goals/features of a society. Will these goals/features always be the most important? Consider: Crime vs. Car Pollution Indicate the four most important goals/features of a society when considering each of these two problems. Indicate the four least important goals/features of a society when considering each of these two problems.

29 Consensus Divide into groups. Discuss your rankings and come to a consensus. Note main areas of agreement and disagreement.