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The modern day ideologies of liberalism and conservatism are actually both products of liberalism. This represents the variation and even contradiction that occurs in the wider ideals of liberalism.
Liberalism calls for self governance, but also for protecting the "weak" from the "strong"
for democracy, but against tyranny of the majority
for equality of opportunity, but also for keeping government out of the economy
for human rights but also for defense against those hostile to the people
for good works and charity but also for individualist self interest
for an educated populous but also for free thought
for freedom of religion and seperation of church from state
for national (possibly world) unity but also for freedom to choose one's path
There are many things within the larger doctrine of liberalism that require reconciliation due to their combative nature. It is much like our government and court system... the ideology was also a product of adversarial process and balance.
Liberalism and conservatism of today reflect the point we are at now in maintaining balance over the larger liberalism.
