One of the fundamental difference between the political left and right is that the right generally views man as inherently self-interested and flawed while the left generally views man as perfectible.
The right likes capitalism because capitalism recognizes man's self-interest and uses that interest in a way that is mutually beneficial to all. The left, however, believes that society can be founded on altruism wherein all work for the common good.
What I find interesting is that, while the right is generally more religious, religion teaches us to perfect ourselves, which contradicts the right's view of man and unable to be perfected. Of course, these are generalizations and generalizations always have their exceptions. But on the whole, I would say this is true.
Furthermore, it seems to me that the more conservative a religion is the more likely it is to require obedience from its adherents. But it is inconsistent for a religion to require obedience if the religion recognizes that man cannot be perfected. Of course, even the more rigorous of Christian religions accept that no man attains perfection save through Christ. Perhaps that is the qualification that rectifies the seeming inconsistency.
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