Liberals are more likely to see people as victims of circumstance and oppression, and doubt whether individuals can climb without governmental help. My own analysis using 2005 survey data from Syracuse University shows that about 90 percent of conservatives agree that “While people may begin with different opportunities, hard work and perseverance can usually overcome those disadvantages.†Liberals — even upper-income liberals — are a third less likely to say this.
— Arthur C. Brooks
conservatismconservativesethics
