What it is

They are names for two ways of answering the same questions.

The questions are old: how much should the government do? What should change, and what should stay as it is?

Today, in general, the left favors a State that is more present in the economy and a broad social safety net. On social values, it tends to be more open to change.

The right, in general, wants the government to interfere little in the economy and trusts the market more to create jobs and protection. On social values, it tends to be more conservative.

These are tendencies, not rules. No one has to agree with the whole package.