My motivation for coming to this blog was to have the opportunity to discuss ways in which the Republican Party could more eloquently and successfully get out the message and philosophy of conservatism. (We had a long discussion about it here.) Traditionally conservatism is defined according to the three pillars of fiscal conservtism, social conservatism, and national security. For purposes of this discussion, these three pillars may be separated into their philosophical bases and their potential policy positions that flow from their corresponding bases, as follows. Now I can't say that these three descriptions are 100% complete but I hope they get the idea across.
Fiscal Conservatism
Philosophical basis: The marketplace is a more efficient allocator of resources than the government; hence when deciding how resources should be allocated, the bias should always be in favor of private-sector decisionmaking. Free markets build wealth, create prosperity, and raises standards of living for all; hence markets should be kept as free as reasonably possible. Moreover capitalism and free markets do a great job at preserving individual liberty, as those participating in the marketplace aren't requied to obey the will of the majority (e.g. if 90% of the population prefers Pepsi but I prefer Coke, I can still buy Coke if I so desire); hence regulations that restrict choices in the marketplace should be kept to a minimum.
Potential Policy Positions: Cut taxes; this returns money to the private sector and therefore leads to a more efficient spending of that money. Cut government spending; this reduces the demand for taxes and also makes the marketplace freer as duplicative government services are eliminated in favor of private-sector offering of those services. Reduce the regulatory burden; this preserves choice in the marketplace and leads to a freer market.
Social Conservatism
Philosophical Basis: Traditional values, customs and ways of viewing the world have withstood the test of time, hence they should be given deferential treatment over newer values or customs that have not survived the same level of temporal scrutiny. Moreover social change often leads to unintended consequences, most of the time deleterious ones, so change by itself should be regarded skeptically and, if deemed beneficial, should happen slowly, cautiously and methodically, so that any unintended consequences can be recognized and overcome. Finally, individual liberty is only beneficially meaningful when it is conjoined with a moral people; hence policies that promote moral clarity should be favored over those that create moral obfuscation or relativism.
Potential Policy Positions: Promote policies that strengthen traditional social institutions such as marriage and family. Appoint conservative judges who will agree to interpret the Constitution in a traditional manner instead of imposing their own views onto it. Promote a culture of life, as a moral people should err on the side of caution when dealing with this most precious gift anyone may have. Finally, faith is a traditional source of values and moral guidance, so while government should not promote any particular religion over another, neither should it attempt to banish religion from the public square entirely.
National Security
Philosophical Basis: The United States, as the only nation to have been formed as a result of ideals rather than simple geographical proximity, bears a special responsibility to promote and uphold those ideals throughout a world that has seen more than its fair share of barbarism and tyranny.
Potential Policy Positions: Reflexively and overtly support the service of our brave soldiers; they deserve nothing less. Promote the interests of the United States first and foremost, as our government works to serve us, not a 'global consensus'. Unapologetically defend the ideals upon which this nation was founded.
