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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. 9 There should be no minimum wage laws. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

10. 10 Government services should be paid for with user fees, not taxes. Yes = 2Maybe = 1No = 0

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

12. 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. 13 Formal Definitions: “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 on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change.”

14. 14 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

15. 15 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

16. 16 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

17. 17 Who is “Liberal” and Who is “Conservative”? “Conservative” “Liberal”

18. 18 Who is “Liberal” and Who is “Conservative”? Socially “Conservative” Economically “Conservative” Economically “Liberal” Socially “Liberal”

19. 19 Socially “Conservative” Socially “Liberal” Economically “Conservative” Economically “Liberal” Economic Freedom Personal Freedom

20. 20 Economic Freedom Personal Freedom Democrat Republican Classical Liberal Authoritarian Centrist 5 0 10 5 0 7 3 73

21. 21 Contradiction Arises When We Think in Terms of Issues The argument for the estate tax rests on the same premise as does the argument for serfdom.  Premise: the state owns all property, people are merely allowed the use of property. The argument for a centralized economy rests on the same premise as does the argument for intelligent design.  Premise: complex processes cannot arise via evolution, but must be designed.

22. 22 How to Avoid Contradiction  Think in terms of first principles. First principles are not derived from other truths. They are… Either assumed to be true, or Are so self-evident as to be beyond dispute. When thinking about economic and policy issues… Begin at first principles, not at outcomes, or End up espousing contradictory or inconsistent views.

23. 23 Example: First Principles Debate: We must help the poor by imposing a minimum wage. We must help employers by removing the minimum wage. F A I L Debate: The rights to life and property are natural rights. The rights to life and property are not natural rights.

24. 24 First Principles The rights to life and property are natural rights. Others may not take your life. Others may not prevent you from using your property. Others may not prevent you from selling your labor. Others may not prevent you from paying for labor. We should not have a minimum wage.

25. 25 First Principle of Catholic Social Thought Human Dignity People are created in God’s image and likeness.

26. 26 Derived Principles of Catholic Social Thought Human Motivation People are self-interested and have differing preferences. Equality Principles apply to all people equally. Self-Ownership People own their own lives. Human Condition People are volitional and capable of rational thought. Human Limitations People are neither omnipotent nor omniscient. First Principles of Classical Liberalism Human Dignity People are created in God’s image and likeness. CST Subsumes Classical Liberalism

27. 27 Human Dignity People are created in God’s image and likeness. CST Subsumes Classical LiberalismGuide to the Relationship of Church and State How we should exercise our free wills. How we may exercise our free wills.