What are the differences between Libertarians and Conservatives?
Differences between libertarians and conservatives usually come down to issues of personal freedom. Libertarians generally think that individual behaviors should be permitted so long as they harm no other person. Conservatives think that, even though certain behaviors may bring no direct harm to others, said behaviors must be curtailed or forbidden to prevent social decay and decline, not to mention negative secondary effects on society. For example, a libertarian might agree that illicit drug use should be permitted. In contrast, a conservative is likely to think that allowing such behavior risks people destroying their lives with addiction. Whereas libertarians tend to trust individuals to be personally responsible and bear the costs/consequences of their actions, conservatives worry that secondary social costs of such behaviors will invariably be too high. Libertarians are quick to reply that prohibition and the brutal prosecution of the Drug War have created enormous social problems of their own.
How are Libertarians and Conservatives similar?
Libertarians and conservatives tend to agree that entrepreneurship is the primary mechanism for generating prosperity. Both types think people should be free to engage in entrepreneurial activity and keep rewards of entrepreneurial value creation. Both libertarians and conservatives, therefore, support low taxes and limited government.