What’s the difference between a liberal and a conservative?
An extremely clear definition, from Booknotes, 1994
LAMB: What’s the difference between a liberal and a conservative, in your opinion?
GALBRAITH: Well, I would say that most conservatives bend inward to think of their own interest and accommodate the state to their own interest and are, on the whole, more governed by ideology than I would think wise. As I say, I want to adjust to the practical situation. When I hear some of my conservative friends speak of the evils of government, I think they’re being controlled by a formula rather than by specific thought.
Source: BookNotes.org: John Kenneth Galbraith Galbraith discusses his life and career; very funny in spots. Google Search (scroll about 1/2way down the page)