a. Contrast the basic philosophical principles of Conservative specifically the role of individuals, free markets and competition play in promoting the prosperity of the economy with the Liberal notion of how uncertainty in economic decision making can lead to herd behavior and instability.
b. Given the above answer how do Conservatives and Liberals differ with respect to the role government should play in the markets and national economy?
A/B) The Conservatives generally focus on the idea of a “Laissez Faire” government meaning that there is little to no government intervention and the market can run its course freely. Conservatives focus on the “Self Correcting Mechanism” by which any economic change whether it is recessionary or expansionary can be naturally fixed by the market. In a free market, individuals are subject to pay the market price of a good or service at the businesses (Suppliers) discretion following the laws of Supply and Demand. This also goes for correcting the economy as a whole, in times of a Recession; eventually the market will grow on its own. During a time Economic Growth, the economy will naturally slow so the market does not grow too fast. Conservatives also argue that in a free market system, there is greater competition. Competition will cause businesses to be better and allow for creative destruction of businesses that are not efficient. On the contrary,
A/B) Liberals focus on more government intervention and argue that it is up to the government to protect the individuals (Consumers) from unfair businesses (Suppliers). Liberals also note that the free market is too unstable to