As a non-American (me, not you, I assume you are an American, given your assertion), I suggest that conservatism and liberalism as concepts re what can be done

As a non-American (me, not you, I assume you are an American, given your assertion), I suggest that conservatism and liberalism as concepts re what can be done about socially undesirable behaviour have far broader applicability. Conservatives of many stripes in many countries believe people are fixed in their roles and likely place in society (cf British tories, e.g.) while liberals, generally, believe people can be mobile, if given just and equitable access to advancement. This simple (and simplistic, to be fair) characterization is at the heart of the original article, that liberals enter the field and conservatives don't because of what each believes can be done to affect outcomes.