Question

How is an issue characterized as either liberal or conservative

Answer 1

An issue is characterized as liberal if it requires the intervention of government to be solved. This include issues to do with equal opportunity and equality for all such as the protection of civil liberties. An issue is characterized as conservative if it requires the empowerment of the individual to be solved.

Answer 2

 Liberal issues focuses on the individual rights and equality of the people while conservatism focuses on socially  entrenched and old values and virtues especially family and religious values. 
For example, if an issue about abortion was to be prompted a liberal would focus on the rights of the mother vis a vis the child while the conservative would allude to socially held notions especially those held by the dominant religion.