What is Conservatism? « A Voice in the Wilderness

13Aug/072

What is Conservatism?

Defining the Debate

by: R.J. Moeller

The problem with much of the Red State-Blue State feuding that goes on every election cycle is that most voters don't even know what their own socio-political allegiances are. Debates are boiled down to an impersonal association with the area of the country we live and that is somehow suppose to define complicated schools of thought and complex worldviews.

My aim the next two weeks is to help set out the parameters for what Conservatism and Liberalism claim to stand for and believe in. I am a firm believer that the conservative ideas I embrace resemble what most Americans still embrace themselves. It has been the watering down and misrepresentation of what one side (the Right) believes that has enabled the other (the Left) to possess even a minor (or in fact, not-so-minor) chokehold on the intellectual, entertainment, and social consciousness of this great nation.

In the introduction to the recently released The Future of Conservatism: Conflict and Consensus in the Post-Reagan Era is an outline of the “10 Canons of Conservatism” from Charles W. Dunn, Dean of Regent University’s Robertson School of Government. Dunn says the defining characteristics of conservatism are:

Continuity- high value placed on social order from one generation to the next; social and political changes are possible from within; war is last resort, but sometimes necessary

Authority- limited federal government; its role is defined by Constitution and should be followed (i.e. commissioned to ensure national security, not regulate public education system)

Community- countervailing force against power concentrated in government; individual participation in private, voluntary organizations facilitates human flourishing

Deity- natural and divine law trump those of man, who is accountable to God above all else; traditional moral values, with a distrust of corruptible human nature

Duty- personal responsibility more important than individual’s rights; “What can you do for your country?” Not “what can it do for you?”

Democracy- must be within context of constitutional order; must be carefully designed to limit and separate power; each branch should do their job and respect a strict interpretation of the constitution

Property- ability to own is what defines a free and humane society; gives citizens a “stake” in the country and land

Liberty trumps Equality- we’ve a right to opportunity, not outcome; arbitrary standards stifle and numb desire of individual to create and excel; guaranteed freedom, not idyllic standard of living, is paramount

Meritocracy- “natural aristocracy” based on talent and ability, not wealth and title; some people are more qualified than others to lead

Antipathy toward Centralized government- strong opposition to Socialism and Communism

Charles Dunn cites an alliance of five core groups that he says comprise modern conservatism since the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan, including: Traditionalists (Pat Buchanan), Neo-conservatives (William Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard), Libertarians (Presidential hopeful Ron Paul), Midwestern/Southern (Newt Gingrich), and Religious (Dr. James Dobson).

What do you think about Dunn’s analysis and assertions? If this is what conservatism is, are you more or less interested in being a part of it now?

http://michaelmedved.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/03/14/the_core_of_conservatism_distinctions_and_consequences

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=33084

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W. Petty
August 14th, 2007 - 15:17

Thanks for the info Robby. Even though I consider myself a conservative, I often times find it difficult to commit myself to being a “Republican” cause, after all, they’re still politicians at heart and will say anything to get elected.

I even find myself kinda repulsed by Republicans and Democrats alike because they don’t do things because they think it will improve the U.S., they do it because their fellow party members tell them to.

Anyway…that was a little off topic, so I’ll get back on by again thanking you for posting the correct definition of a conservative. You wouldn’t believe how many times I tell somebody that I’m a conservative, only to have them say things like, “So you love George Bush. Or, you wanna take over the world for oil?”…it gets old after the first time.

I believe the best way to keep informed and make intelligent decisions is to know what you’re talking about…and this is a good start…if only we could get everyone else to read this…
Andy Miller
August 21st, 2007 - 09:43

Thanks for this piece, I really appreciate someone stepping in to shed light on a topic that is too often passed over, that is, the fact that too many people are satisfied with defining themselves as either “Conservative” or “Liberal.” My problem with these people is that they are too lazy to look deeper into these labels and thus don’t realize that 1) Conservatism and Liberalism rarely, if ever, exactly define anyone; and 2) these are not the only 2 options out there. Hopefully people, Conservatives and Liberals alike, will read this piece and thus gain a better understanding of our two dominent, but in no way only, political parties. More importantly, hopefully some will gain a better understanding of what they themselves believe in/adhere to, I know I did. Much obliged.

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