Here is how the Four Systems are defined:
Liberalism is a political system that blends NonConformance and Independence.
Liberalism sees individual liberty as the highest values in social and economical life. It favors the right to dissent from orthodox tenets or established authorities in social or economical matters.
This definition of Liberalism (there are many) blends the social aspects of U.S. Liberalism [NonConformance] with the economic aspects of European Liberalism [Independence].
Socialism is a political system that blends NonConformance and Interdependence.
Socialism believes society can and should be organised along social lines, that is, for the benefit of all, rather than for what is perceived as the profit of a few [Interdependence]. Its key ideas are opposition to capitalism, and a belief in equality, both political and economic [NonConformance].
Authoritarianism is a political system that blends Conformance and Interdependence.
People in this category will want the government to play two essential roles: 1) Enforce the moral order and 2) Ensure that the state or its members are the primary benefiaries of the actions of individuals.
Conservatism is a political system that blends Conformance and Independence.
Conservatism is a tendency to resist rapid change and to support traditional norms, where "traditional norms" is meant to be the type of moral order and rules that existed in previous times (e.g. Europe and North America prior to the 1950's, stricter religious periods...).
In a conservative state, citizens are subject to state authority primarily in the area of social behavior aspects of their lives.
"The conservative thinks of political policies as intended to preserve order, justice, and freedom. The ideologue, on the contrary, thinks of politics as a revolutionary instrument for transforming society and even transforming human nature. In his march toward Utopia, the ideologue is merciless.
- Russell Kirk,
The Mind of the ConservativeMost libertarans I have come across are ideologues in the worst sense of the word. They want a radically different society in which the traditional bindings of moral and social order (particularly religion and the family unit) have been loosened and let fall in a heap.
At best, most libertarians are unthinking conservatives. They only consider one half of any political or social equation: "How does this !@#$%^&* affect ME?"