Are You a Conservative or a Liberal?

For a small book it is highly valuable with the basics in understanding of the liberal and conservative ideas. In this there are two authors, one, Bradley O'Leary - Conservative and Victor Kamber - Liberal, so the book is not bias, but fair. And in this they both argue their view on some of the major issues - very briefly that is, but enough for you to get the general ideas. This book comes with three separate quizzes in determining where you stand. I stood a liberal before the book and after the quizzes I again stand somewhere between liberal and moderate liberal. I think that every book that fairly compares these two models of thought exposes the invalidity of conservative thinking and for this a book like this threatens their morality based on absolutism. Also is a wonderful short essay on both venues of thought and its comparison to libertarianism, which I believe is much closer to conservatism. I like this book enough to purchase a dozen or so copies and hand them out to reasonable people I care about and enjoy talking with. As small as this book is, it really is a classifier and eye opener, which removes much of the thoughtless cloud of the media where thousands watch and have not a clear conception of the differences between such thought systems. Another book that is much more detailed and goes into the psychological models between conservatives and liberals is "Moral Politics" by George Lakoff, which I highly recommend.

I bought this book because I got into an argument with a friend of mine who prides himself on being a republican, whereas I have always voted democrat. (Not this time though. I voted Libertarian.) We took the tests, and yes his political spectrum is more to the right of me, but we both learned a few things about where we stood. There are three tests in the book. In the first test, somehow I came out MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE. (My friend was CONSERVATIVE, one more click to the right of me) The second test marked me MODERATELY LIBERAL, while my friend didn't take that test. The last one was LIBERAL for me while my friend was MODERATE TO CONSERVATIVE. More to the point, you learn a lot and you take a lot of disbelief in what both authors have to say. You'll likely like one point of view and not the other for all areas in this book, but that's life and that's America. BTW After reading this and thinking about it, I've declared myself socially very liberal while more fiscally moderate.

I read this book, and I feel it can help the novice to the political arena in knowing what is the conservative or the liberal side of issues.The book allows you to know the other side's arguments about an issue.By doing so, it can make you have a better understanding of the issues. I feel the linear political spectrum is still good to measure anyone's point of view politically including even where libertarians are. I feel the tests are good ones, but I feel a better way of finding out where you stand is to divide the issues more into broad categories such as economic, social, domestic reform, military and foreign liberalism. I was rated as being moderate, but I was rated as a moderate because i am really an economic liberal, a social moderate,a liberal on domestic reform.a military conservative and a foreign moderate. If 0 is liberal,1 is moderate and 2 is conservative, I would score out of a possible 10(most conservative) a 4,just left of center. A libertarian could score himself the same way.The book is on the right track, no libertarian should mind this book. It has all views covered.By the way I scored a 20-middle of the road, but i now know what issues i am liberal on and what i am conservative on. It's a nice book, both the novice or the politically experienced can learned something from this book.A good 4 star rating.

Victor Kamber and Bradley O'Leary offer a superb point-counterpoint of some of the most talked about issues of the day. Issues from health care and the minimum wage, all the way to the religious right and Contra-Aid. These men offer insights to the issues, and argue their positions forcefully. Yes, these men are biased at times...but this makes it all the more exciting to read, and helps the reader latch onto which writer they agree with.In addition, this book offers three tests for the readers themselves to find out where they stand on the political spectrum. Are you really a "sit on the fence" centrist? Take the test, and you may find otherwise.Anyone interested in politics should read this book. Three cheers for Kamber and O'Leary!In addition

This is a great book, with both sides of major issues presented very succinctly, point and counterpoint.