What Makes a Conservative? 7 Principles They All Live By
(NRPI.org) – Many people and politicians claim the mantle of conservatism, and all are right in some regard. Conservatism features many different opinions on various topics under its umbrella, but through the decades and centuries, conservatism has held to seven primary principles.
Though the language can differentiate through generations, the seven principles remain in line with those outlined by Barry Goldwater in 1962, when he sought to compile a historical set of principles for the Republican Party.
These are the modern-day primary principles of conservatism as outlined by the office of U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana:
Individual Freedom
Conservatives believe when the country’s founders stood up to the tyranny of English rule, they stood against the control of the government over individual freedoms. The inalienable rights stated in the Declaration of Independence for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness create this bedrock of conservatism. Goldwater recognized the principle recognizes “the highest degree of freedom consistent with order and justice.”
Limited Government
Hand-in-hand with the pursuit of individual freedom is the push for limited government. The checks and balances built into the U.S. Constitution intended to provide safeguards against one branch of the government issuing its will against the will of the people. Goldwater argues the federal government should provide the services it must, such as national defense and administration of justice, but should not try to do more that can be handled by lower governments or voluntary organizations.
The Rule of Law
The conservative ideal of the rule of law extends beyond a justice system that ensures all society lives within the laws set down by Congress and state and local governments. It also means each branch of the federal government — executive, legislative, and judicial — should follow their roles as defined in the Constitution to maintain a balanced order.
Peace Through Strength
As the first obligation of the federal government is to provide for the “common defense” of the nation, conservatives believe the United States must maintain a strong military to provide a deterrence to attack and to provide leadership for the idea of democracy around the world.
Fiscal Responsibility
In another branch of individual freedom and limited government principles, conservatives also advocate for fiscal responsibility. Their two-prong approach is that the government should not tax individuals and businesses for more funds than needed and to limit the funds the federal government needs to spend.
Free Markets
The support of free markets and free trade agreements stand behind the beliefs in limited government and individual freedoms as it relates to commerce. Conservatives believe markets, as driven by supply and demand, will regulate themselves through competition and consumer demand better than can be accomplished through government regulations that restrict the activities of businesses.
Human Dignity
Conservatism bases much of its standing on the belief in a God-given natural law that recognizes that all humans are created equal and endowed by the creator with certain rights. As such, every human law should recognize this natural law and respect the rights of all human beings. Goldwater lists this principle as the No. 1 principle from which all others flow, while Johnson places it in the final spot, as more of a wrap-up to the previous listings. Both agree that how individuals follow natural laws reflects their character and mandates how they should be treated.
Conservatives believe that by holding true to these principles allows them to maintain a course for the country that represents the best way for each American to create their best life. Kay C. James, former president of the Heritage Foundation, calls these the True North principles that allow conservatives to maintain focus on a fixed direction, not to be swayed by forces of society.
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