So what? I'm a Libertarian... you know: "fiscal conservative, social liberal", i.e., believe in low and fair taxes, small government, individual liberty, free markets (not oligopoly or 'crony capitalism', not industrial policy or corporate welfare, for free trade... not subsidies and tariffs), etc.
Simply asking "liberal or conservative" doesn't answer enough questions... it is practically useless.
For example: is one a 'Conservative' on fiscal issues (balanced budgets, low taxes) or on social issues? This is one of the big dividing lines running throughout the Republican Party. As a further example, being 'Conservative' on social issues often means supporting a bigger federal government that intrudes more into people's private lives... the antithesis of what the 'small government' Republicans want.
Another axis of political belief along which to measure people is their attitude toward Authoritarianism.
Are they believers in Authoritarian Government ("Big Daddy" or "Big Momma" makes the decisions, and circumscribes what is allowed) or in a Libertarian approach (more power to the individual, less to Government)?
Just as many "economic Liberals" believe in Authoritarian Government... so do many "economic Conservatives". |
