Expect sincere people (e.g. Conservatives & Liberals) to have very different worldviews and assumptions. Expect persuaders to try to attract others to adopt or to agree with their views.... In conflicts, expect persuaders to emphasize the differences in kind, degree, and focus.

Others have described Conservative-Liberal (Right-Left) differences in other terms: rigid-loose; inflexible-flexible; certitude-doubt; absolutists-situationists; intolerant-tolerant; truth-possessors-truth-seekers; Authoritarian-Democratic personalities; and so on. In Moral Politics, George Lakoff suggests the differences may relate to the metaphoric way that people think about the abstract in terms of the concrete: a basic "Society-as-Family" metaphor, used unconsciously, as the way how we think about the role of government. He makes many qualifications, notes many variations, but points out the usefulness of a central model, or prototype, as a reasonable way to see the patterns of differences in these two contrasting attitudes and worldviews. In society, as well as in the family, perhaps we all seek the same goals (peace and prosperity), but differ on the means -- and on definitions, priorities, focus, emphasis, mix. (Summary below in my words) .© Hugh Rank, 2008 -- Persuasion Analysis --http://faculty.govst.edu/pa

The Conservative worldview centers on the
Strict Father model of family life:

This model is the "traditional" nuclear family, (Dad, Mom, kids), a patriarchy, with the father having the responsibility as the sole wage-earner, to support and protect his family, as well as being in control to set overall policy and to enforce strict rules for the behavior of children.("Wait til your daddy gets home!") Everyday responsibility in the family belongs to the mother for house care, childraising, and supporting the father's authority. ("Stand by your man") < > Children must respect and obey their parents. Thus, they build character: self-discipline and self-reliance. < > Love and nurturance are a vital part of family life, but can never outweigh parental authority, which is itself an expression of nurturance and love -- tough love. < >Communication is often one-way ("because I said so") demanding a proper respect for experience, wisdom, and parental authority. Questioning by children is discouraged: "Do as you're told." < > Once children are mature, they are on their own and must depend on their acquired self-discipline to survive. Their self-reliance gives them authority over their own destinies, and parents are not to meddle in their lives.<> In addition to the benefits of such a family model, outside critics will point out potential problems within such an authority-centered family: the main "sin" being anger of a tyrannical father; domestic violence (wife-beater, child abuse); alienation of subservient wife; resentment, later rejection by children. (Liberals often downplay the good of Conservatives as being hard workers, protective.)

Conservative political rhetoric metaphorically based on the "Strict Father" model is more likely to give high priority to social issues related to production and protection; see the ideal model citizen to be hard-working and self-reliant; make positive claims about their own; make negative charges (attack, demonize) the Other; have different feared threats and a mix of priorities relating to issues such as security, economics, environmental issues, religious attitudes.

Security: In domestic issues, Conservatives usually favor strict laws and retributive punishments (mandatory sentences, long-term imprisonment, capital punishment) and crime prevention programs based on personal responsibility ("Just say No!"). In international issues, Conservatives during the "cold war" emphasized nuclear power (ICBMs) to deter USSR. After 9/11, most Conservatives supported unilateralism (independently powerful, not subservient to others, esp. UN) , a "strike first" preemptive doctrine to deny safe havens, and a "war" on terrorism.

Economics: Conservatives emphasize government's role in the encouragement and protection of business as being the source of the nation's prosperity and growth. They are opposed to rules, regulations, and red tape which retard and burden business. They see themselves as realistic and pragmatic, believe in a meritocracy, and oppose taxes which penalize success. Conservatives fear that nurturers are wasting money by not doing their jobs well (teachers); waste and mismanagement (health care) or that the unworthy poor (welfare cheats, addicts. bums) are getting care they don't deserve because of their own faults.

Environment: Conservatives fear that nature activists (tree-huggers) over-react, value animals more than people, and are threatening property rights of land owners, jobs of loggers, ranchers, miners, and workers in factory closings due to costly pollution controls. Conservatives support "multiple use" of forests and "free choice" for off-road (snowmobiles, ATV, SUV) owners. The urgent need for more domestic oil, carefully extracted, is more pressing than the remote chance of accident. Global warming "scares" are attacked as "junk science" and "more studies are needed."

Conservatives fear the tolerant religious attitudes of Liberals as signs of lax morals, sloppy thinking, breaking a strict God's laws (as revealed in Bible or Koran, or as taught by a patriarchal hierarchy), offensive to God, endangering the beliefs, corrupting the youth of believers. Focus of morality is often on personal, sexual issues (e.g. homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice"). Conservatives are often fundamentalists, literal, zealous and evangelical, want to defend God, society, and the family against the immorality of atheists, infidels, secularists, relativists, or any "wrong" thinkers.

The Liberal worldview centers on
the Nurturant Parent model of family life:

This model recognizes that not all families fit the traditional model (due to work, economics, divorce, separation, sickness, death), but all families can provide love, empathy, and nurturance. < > Everyday responsibility in the family is shared by all, appropriately, according to their varied situation (e.g. elders; two wage-earners; grown children; live-in relatives). < > Children learn obedience out of love and respect for their parents and their community, not out of the fear of punishment. < > Love and nurturance are primary; children become responsible, self-disciplined and self-reliant through being cared for, respected, and learning to care for others, both in their family and in their community. < > Communication is crucial. If parental authority is to be legitimate, they must explain why their decisions serve the cause of protection and nurturance. Questioning by children is seen as positive, so they can learn why their parents do what they do. < > Once children are mature, they gradually enter into a lifetime relationship of mutual respect, communication, and caring with their parents.<> In addition to the benefits of such a family model, outside critics will point out potential problems within such a non-authoritarian family: the main "sins" being lack of control (spoiled children, undisciplined, disorderly, loose morals) and sloth (overindulged, lazy kids); grown children as live-in dependents, but who do not contribute in rent, or chores. (Conservatives often downplay the good of Liberals as being caring, concerned.)

Liberal political rhetoric metaphorically based on the "Nurturant Parent" model is more likely to give high priority to social issues related to care and protection; see the ideal model citizen to be caring and empathetic; make positive claims about their own; make negative charges (attack, demonize) the Other; have different feared threats, and mix of priorities relating to issues such as security, economics, environmental issues, religious attitudes.

Security: In domestic issues, Liberals usually favor laws and punishments with discretionary sentences, rehabilitative imprisonment, and crime prevention programs based on remedying crime's social causes and conditions, (poverty, joblessness, lack of education). In international issues, Liberals during the "cold war" often warned about catastrophic dangers of any nuclear exchange, sought international controls and arms reduction. After 9/11, most Liberals supported multilateralism seeking cooperation of allies, all nations, and UN in a unified effort against fanatic criminals.

Economics: Liberals emphasize government's role in the protection of individuals as a counter-balance to big business which is already well able to protect itself with its lawyers, lobbyists, and legislators. Regulations are needed for consumer protection and safety (FAA, OSHA, FDA, CSIS) and against corporate fraud (FTC, SEC). Liberals often attack "corporate welfare" programs such as tax breaks, loopholes, subsidies, to benefit the few (esp. multi-national corporations, agribusiness); waste and corruption in defense spending (war profiteering, revolving-door, no-bid contracts); liberal "causes" are jobs, unions, social security, safety-net for weak, poor, sick, elderly.

Environment: Liberals fear that serious long-term damage is being done by logging, grazing, and mining on public lands by agribusiness, corporations, and oil companies. Land developers and speculators are often favored over conservationists. Weak laws, lax enforcement, small fines, and no clean-ups result from corporate pressure on the regulatory agencies. Highway gas-guzzlers (SUVs) worsen the energy crisis; alternate fuel sources need more attention. Increased population increases pollution, dangers of "global warming."

Liberals fear the intolerant religious attitudes of conservatives, especially those fundamentalists -- "True Believers" -- (whether Islamic, Christian, Jewish) seeking to impose their beliefs, their dogma, their orthodoxy, on others in the name of God. Focus of morality is often on issues of social justice, fairness, rights for all (e.g. sexual orientation is God-given). Liberals want to defend religious freedom, separation of church and state, and the rights of individuals within a pluralistic democracy. Most mainstream religious liberals emphasize grace, nurturance, good works, tolerance, community, equality, a loving God and a social gospel.