Differences between conservatives and progressives are as stark as those between libertarians and authoritarians, even though both conservatives and progressives each have liberal and illiberal leanings, respectively. Contrasts come down to the issues on which they are either more or less liberal, which almost always differ. In other words, conservatives are more liberal when it comes to economic freedom, whereas progressives tend to be more liberal when it comes to personal freedom. This inversion of commitments means both conservatives and progressives will make common cause with libertarians or authoritarians (depending on the issue) but almost never with each other. Such stark contrast creates the left/right dichotomy that seems to be more familiar in contemporary politics. Still, that dichomy obscures the liberal/illiberal distinction, which is increasingly important in the twenty-first century.

Due to conservatives’ and progressives’ inverted commitments to either economic or personal freedom, respectively, there are virtually no similarities between conservatives and progressives.