True Conservatism vs. American/Republican Conservatism: Exploring the Differences
Understanding the distinctions between true conservatism and American/Republican conservatism is crucial for grasping the nuances within political ideologies. A "true conservative" inherently believes in low taxes, less government regulation, fiscal prudence, and a reduced role of the government in people's lives. However, the label of "American conservative" can often deviate from these principles, incorporating additional elements such as religion (like Christianity) and specific social issues (such as gun rights and private liberties). These differences highlight a shift from a political stance rooted in economic and social responsibility to one fueled more by nostalgia and selective memory.
When Was America Great?
The concept of "conservatism" typically works to maintain the current or recent past. This idea is evident in the imploding Republican Party, which has been obsessively conserving both the current wealth of their donors and the mythical greatness of historical periods such as the 1960s, 1920s, 1840s, and 1780s. These periods are idealized, creating a false narrative to maintain support among their base. However, the Republican Party (GOP) is in a particularly tough spot because, over decades, they have prioritized winning over principled positions. This has led to a political culture that is increasingly at odds with its founding principles, a situation that is both tragic and inevitable for a 100-year-old political party.
Night and Day
During the fateful tea party convention, former Conservative Chief Whip Lord Hailsham offered a profound explanation of conservatism. He stated that conservatism is not merely a philosophy but an attitude that performs a timeless function in the development of a free society, corresponding to a deep and permanent requirement of human nature itself. Conservative principles, as articulated by Russell Kirk, are valued for their ability to provide a guide to policy based on a people's historic continuity of experience, rather than abstract designs from philosophers.
Kirk outlined ten conservative principles, which serve as a foundation for understanding the true essence of conservatism. As an adjective, "conservative" refers to an attitude, a state of mind, or a way of looking at the social order, rather than a rigid ideology. True conservatism is marked by a preference for tradition and stability, but it also acknowledges the need for change to preserve the status quo. A conservative is someone who, fundamentally, values continuity and the permanence of established social structures, but recognizes that change is essential for their preservation.
The Republican Party's pursuit of a mythical past and symbolic figures like Donald Trump's MAGA movement (Make America Great Again) has led them to a precarious position. The party could potentially shed some of these more controversial elements (MAGA, Christians, racism) but they would risk losing significant support from their core base. The GOP is faced with a dilemma: clinging to a past that may never be fully realizable or changing course in hopes of connecting with a broader audience. The result is a political party that is increasingly at odds with itself, held together only by the bonds of shared nostalgia rather than shared principles.
In essence, the true conservative movement prioritizes fiscal prudence, prudent governance, and a respect for traditional values, while the American/Republican conservatism often strays into areas that are more politically charged and less focused on practical governance. This distinction is vital for understanding the ideological landscape of contemporary politics and the nuances within the conservative movement.