We sometimes think of conservatives as being stronger on national
defense than liberals, but this is not always true. During the twentieth
century, conservative and liberal leaders worked to strengthen the American
military and sometimes engaged in war. For instance, in the 1960s and 1970s,
John F. Kennedy increased military spending dramatically, and Lyndon Johnson
greatly expanded America’s role in the Vietnam War.
American Conservatism
American conservatism argues that the government’s main job
is to protect freedom and provide security. Beyond that, the government should
stay out of people’s lives and should allow people to do, act, and behave as
they see fit. According to conservatives, freedom trumps equality: The
government should promote the former, regardless of how expanded freedoms might
affect equality.
