The Ideals of Conservatism
There is a near universal question that young conservatives, especially those on college campuses, grapple with – why do so few people agree with me?
I feel confident in wagering that there is no natural connection between the composition of a college student’s mind and an affection for Keynesian economics or wind turbines. Rather, young people have a clear and marked desire to latch onto something “larger than themselves.” The left, which has branded itself as ideals first, and then policy, often fills this niche. There is no more central motif to these ideals than the claim that one ought, and can, change the world.
The right, characterized as a mere "realism" distrustful of change, becomes, naturally, unattractive – a worldview seemingly comprised of social defeatism and reluctant compliance with the world’s misfortunes. The left is seen as a rallying cry to, while young, break the historical cycle of social injustices.
For this reason, college curriculums, certainly no enemy of this cause, sustain and foster this impulse with authors ranging from Marx to Rawls. Social institutions are portrayed as mutable and arbitrary, as the likes of Plato, Burke and Bloom gather intellectual dust in the halls of academia. To many with this energized passion change is seen as an end in itself, while moderation is held as a detriment to an already pre-determined good.
In the political realm, conservatives often respond to the desire for the future with a reverence for the past, encapsulated in a commitment to grounding principles (limited government, liberty, a Judeo-Christian morality, etc.) and a great admiration for our Founding Fathers. However, pointing to the Constitution as a certain axiom alienates those skeptical of its origin. We must understand that we live in an age where the truths of our Founding Fathers are, regrettably, no longer self-evident.
Conservatism needs to redefine itself as a political philosophy and not just an understanding of the role of the state. Today, it seems almost entirely the latter, whose weak appeal, when effective, seems to breed more libertarians than conservatives.
There are larger points that need to be addressed. Simply pointing to Madison’s Constitution as accepted truth is like reading just the last page of Aesop’s fables and expecting them to be internalized – moreover, it will lose the battle of ideas. Grounding beliefs need to be fought for again on the public stage: the constancy of human nature, the existence of absolute morality and objective truth, the recognition of the permanency of natural inequalities (the foundation for conservatives’ appreciation for the organic composition of society, hence limited government, respect for liberties, etc.).
With that said, these are hard questions. However, that fact does not negate its necessity. So, as my first post as an intern, I thought I’d end with some questions. Where is this case made? How? Does 2012 provide an opportunity to do so? Can these issues be dealt with in the political realm? I look forward eagerly to your responses and working with all of you this summer.
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Jun '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
The most important freedom is the freedom to do the right thing, or the well-meaning thing. Americans are spoiled in that respect. We have it. Many don't. If we agree that Mother Teresa was always trying to do the right thing, the generous thing, her efforts would certainly be thwarted in places like China, or Iran, or Saudi Arabia. That, for the most part, is the kind of freedom that conservatives crave--the freedom to do the right thing. The kind of freedom that liberals crave is somewhat different. Much of what they crave is in the category of license, or the freedom to turn America's community standards on their head, for selfish reasons--not freedom to do good. So part of conservatism is understanding what, in the long run, destroys freedom. And one of those things is pretending that license and freedom are the same thing. They are not.
Oct '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Rob Lowe said it best during an interview with Sean Hannity: Liberals think with emotion (heart), while conservatives use logic (brain).
Analyzing consequences and secondary effects of public policy automatically means you are thinking like a conservative. The welfare reform debate in the mid 1990's is a perfect example. Liberals look at those reforms as mean-spirited and will hurt people, while conservatives realized that incentives to work or not work affect how many people are on welfare.
Feb '11
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Harry, welcome to Ricochet. Please elaborate on your distinction between the way conservatism is practiced today, as an understanding of the role of the state, and the way conservatism should be practiced, as a political philosophy.
As of right now my understanding is that this is what separates separates (in your view) conservatives and classical liberals.
Mar '11
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
I'm not sure that the heart was involved, in Mr Clinton's case.
Nor, Mr Obama, now that I come to think of it.
It's more that they think about fundamentally transforming America into a collectivist utopia, with them in control.
Dec '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
I counted, believe it or not, 39 commas in that essay. Perhaps, I could be wrong here, not every parenthetical thought, or aside, or rabbit trail, needs to be set off with commas. That having been said, I'll go back and try to read it without getting distracted now.
Dec '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Heh, we can't all be Hemingway.
Dec '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Don't be mean. I would only have edited out maybe 7 or 8 of those. For example: "The left is seen as a rallying cry to, while young, break the historical cycle of social injustices" would have become "The young see the left as a rallying cry to break...."
Dec '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
It's my OCD, purely my bad. I knew it was coming when I lost focus and started counting the commas...
Dec '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Harry, in a comment on another thread, a Ricochet member stated that "Libertarianism is the true conservatism." Care to respond?
Dec '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Work computer = double posts...
Edited on May 25, 2011 at 4:23pmDec '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Harry, you made some astute observations.
Isn't this the most crucial divergence? When the locus of one's worldview is irreconcilable with that of another, is there really any point of negotiation? Societal Marxism is rooted in exploiting differences to appear as if problems lay at the premise of belief systems. For several decades now, the influential classes have bought in to this deception; it will take several decades more to turn it back around.
Jul '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Harry, let me suggest that you delve much more deeply into the convergence and divergence between libertarianism and conservatism.
From what I read, the explanation and experience of libertarianism on college campuses veers sharply from true, classical libertarianism.
Don't listen to your peers and professors on this; do your own research.
A good, though expensive starting point might be The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism, edited by Ronald Hamowy and published by the Cato Institute.
Dec '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Sadly, the role of the state has become so large that any political philosophy will be lost on large swaths of the population.
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Good Lord! Welcome, Harry. Already stirring up trouble, I see. Here's a trick I've learned: when it's slow around here, mention Sarah Palin.
And all I can add to your post is: when you figure it out, drop me an email.
One last thing. Some people, adventurous types, like commas, and some, sticklers, hate them. Some like short sentences. Like this one. Or this one. Some like to use colons: they make you seem smart. I prefer -- when I can get away with them -- dashes. I've never truly understood the semi-colon; it has something elusive to do with clauses. But if you're anything like me, you'll use lots of all of them as often as you can. It's the best way to beat out the timing of your sentences.
Jun '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Philosophical battles have their place, to be sure. That's why I always go back to the works of Thomas Sowell. He emphasizes philosophical truths of conservatism using very tangible and practical examples.
The King Prawn
Sadly, the role of the state has become so large that any political philosophy will be lost on large swaths of the population. · May 25 at 4:39pm
Thus, Sowell draws from a very wide swath of the population.
Nov '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Though I'm perfectly sympathetic to libertarian arguments -- heck, I'm actually still a registered libertarian -- one ultimately has to be clear about what one means by libertarianism. We're actually all libertarians to one extent or another, insofar as there's always a struggle/tension between individuality and law.
But libertarianism as an ideal, or libertarianism as some sort of "essence" or doctrine is pretty illusory.
The single best short yet penetrating analysis of the conservative/libertarian problematic is actually a little known essay by one Douglas Jeffrey (a nobody -- but that doesn't matter) on Thomas Sowell's Marxism book. The review appeared in the old Claremont Review of Books, circa 1985. It's entitled "Bad Marx for Sowell."
People can read the review here at my Google Docs.
I should hasten to say, despite Jeffrey's proper dressing down of Sowell, I'm one of Sowell's biggest admirers.
Edited on May 25, 2011 at 6:56pmMar '11
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
I went to a couple of debates in Tucson, in 2010, between Gabby Giffords and Jesse Kelly. There was a third, Libertarian, candidate there, whose name I forget.
The Libertarian was notable for knowing the Constitution inside-out - he was scholarly in a somewhat tedious fashion - almost every answer included a quote from the relevant article of this or that. But, mostly, he was in agreement with Jesse Kelly, who replied in much less scholarly style.
Come election day, and the Libertarian took away enough votes from Jesse Kelly for Gabby Giffords to win (it was very close) - of course, it is poignant to look back on this, now.
Anyway, I'm clear that I am a Conservative, not a Libertarian.
BTW, Harry - I was taught in England, back in the days when commas were encouraged. Now, they are somewhat discouraged, but I still kinda like em.
Rob - yeah, I never figured out semicolons; either.
May '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Harry Graver, Intern:
We must understand that we live in an age where the truths of our Founding Fathers are, regrettably, no longer self-evident.
Conservatism needs to redefine itself as a political philosophy and not just an understanding of the role of the state.
Well said. Welcome aboard.
Jul '10
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
David Williamson:
Rob - yeah, I never figured out semicolons; either. · May 25 at 6:10pm
Now you guys are really ticking me off; semi-colons were invented by God to join two clauses without inserting a conjunction.
Now you guys are really ticking me off because semi-colons were invented...
Got it?
The semi-colon is a smooth transition where a conjunction would be a trip over the threshold.
That's why I hate Sarah Palin; she doesn't know how to use a semi-colon.
Mar '11
Re: The Ideals of Conservatism
Harry, I'm afraid you've confused idealism with ignorance. The Left prides itself on collective action and the expertise of an intellectual bureaucrat to solve society's ills. Whereas a confirmed right winger trusts that the individual has their own best interests at heart. Therefore if your college friends truly understood the political spectrum, they too would be right of center classic liberals.