Why is the United States more conservative than all other highly industrialized nations?

Right now, America when considered liberal or conservative, is roughly equated to that of Eastern Europe nations. Canada, Australia, and Western Europe are more liberal than the United States, with some of their conservative parties being more liberal than the US Democratic party. Why is the United States less progressive and more conservative than other highly industrialized nations?|||I don't think we have a higher standard of living and don't know where that idea came from. We have a social darwinist mentality about health care, for example.





The only answer I can think of is that we are so young (immature?) as a nation and have not lived through monarchy and such. Why in our country are guns so popular? Why do we allow the right to continue using the second amendment as an excuse to promulgate weapons for personal use? I think we are still too close to cowboy/covered wagon days.|||The media is extremely liberal, I don't know what you guys are talking about. The United States is very liberal.





How would being conservative also make the united states less progressive? The United States still has the strongest economy in the world, the best schools, and rights such as freedom of speech which are not enjoyed elsewhere, and you're talking about the United States being less progressive?





UPDATE: America does have the best universities. That is why all the top international students come to America to get an education. They don't go to France or Italy. Look at the top universities in the world. Out of the top 10, 6 of them are in the United States.





Finally, I'm tired of this crap about Europe being so progressive. This is the only country with free speech, where you don't have to worry about being fined or imprisoned due to what you say. Also, racism is much more widespread in Europe.|||Good question, but difficult to answer in this forum. There are literally dozens of entire books written on the subject. In a nutshell, though: history suggests that success breeds conservatism. When you are successful, you tend to swing more conservative, because by definition conservatism means staying the same. In its hey-day, Britain was the most conservative nation in the world. During the Middle Ages, China was greater than all other countries, and it was conservative. Now the U.S. tops the list, and it has become more conservative as a result. When things go wrong, however, the people want change, and that breeds liberalism. If the U.S. continues to decline, it will likely see a more liberal swing, much like Europe did after World War II. You never know for sure, but that is what history points toward. |||In my opinion we are more conservative because our nation was based on conservative principles. Reading the founding fathers, "the government that governs best is that which governs least at all"





I believe we are great because of our conservative roots. The "American Dream" is to go out and build your own white picket fence. Other countries are okay with the government giving you the fence and property (but be careful! When a government gives you something, it can also take it away!)





I guess a lot of Americans just don't trust government. Its the way I was raised. Its the way a lot of us were raised! God Bless America!|||In terms of military and warfare, part of the reason is that we have not seen real war on American soil in a very, very long time. Europeans remember the world wars and how ugly that was. They aren't as anxious to start killing like crazy without a very good reason. And we need only look at the false pretenses of the Iraq war to know that we are more than happy to start a war for no reason.





I also think there is a huge Christian fundamentalist population that sides with conservative issues no matter what happens. |||Conservatism works because the liberals here are all too busy hugging trees.





Look at Al Gore. Then look at someone like Reagan. There's just no freakin' comparison (and don't even start with Obama).





Edit: Alicia makes a good point. Liberals are just too unrealistic. Their "perfect happy world" is everyone conforming into this "serve the community" sh!t that just doesn't work (USSR anyone). The fact is, we are the only reason why the Islamic extremists and communists have not overrun the free world (and no, I not a big supporter of the "war," or a neo-con).|||The U.S. recognizes that socialism causes all to fail in the end. We are opposed to excessive taxation (I believe that was one of the things that sparked the creation of this country) while they are not. We are opposed to the redistribution of wealth, while they are not.





If these other countries are so great, why is George Soros over here trying to ruin America when he could just go back home?|||We tend to respect law, families, hard work and taking responsibility for ourselves, not everyone but most, this is why we have the higher standards of living and are generally more successful





standard of living to me is freedom and liberty also.|||And we are the big boys, we are considered the leader of the free world. Now add Conservatism to that and what does that tell you? Conservatism is what works.|||if you actually consider being overrun by illegal muslims that hate your society as "progressive"...then you have issues. muslims will own europe in 10 years, canada in 15.|||U.S. just doesn't implement alot of socialist practices such as Universal Healthcare like Europe does.





Here in California I would say public schools and colleges have a very heavy liberal bias.Just depends where you live.|||Its not about 30% of people are conservative about 30% are liberal the other 40 % are in the middle|||Ever consider that maybe that's why we are arguably the greatest of all the industrialized nations? And we gave most them many centuries head start.|||Because it is a Christian nation. Christians are conservative and old fashioned. And some are partially retarded.|||Like it or not it is due to the 30 million abortions preformed since 1972. The Libs have aborted themselves into the minority|||Smarter and harder working people in the US. That is why all of the countries your refer to depend on America. They should learn from us and stand on their own two feet.|||Because it works.





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United We Stand, Divided We Fall!|||It's because our nation was founded by libertarians, and conservatives aren't too far from that ideology. TOO far.|||What? |||Our pre-college education and mass media is conservative, that's why.