What are the behavioral precedents or theories of what are the
precursors of ?liberal? versus ?conservative? personalities?

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Clarification of Question by amsterdam-ga on 05 Mar 2004 05:41 PST

This is such a fundamental question.  The clash between these two
positions has been the basis of much of the conflict in history and
underlines much of the news of today.  Surely there is a definitive
treatise on this subject.

One theory is that as a person gets older they are more inclined to conservativism.

I highly recommend Ken Wilber's "A Theory of Everything: An Integral
Vision for Business, Politics, Science and Spirituality" (Shambhala,
2001)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1570628556/102-8242612-1794506?v=glance

His treatment of sociologist Dr. Clare Graves' Spiral Dynamics
theories are highly readable and insightful as regards the development
of worldviews both in individuals and across populations.  Wilber's
own ideas also compliment Graves' ideas.  Graves' successor, Don Beck,
has served as a consultant to the United Nations as well as to Nelson
Mandela's government concerning the dismantling of apartheid (and how
'liberal' and 'conservative' views emerge and affect the
sociopolitical climate).   Quite fascinating stuff.