Solon, do you mind if I try. It's fun for me to try to get into someone else's head.
The conservative looks with alarm at attacks on the fundamental values and practices of Western Civilization (Does a "liberal" hate the fundamental values of American citizenship?)
I think Neo is distinguishing between the cultural relativism/cultural deference/inclusiveness of the left and his assertion that Western culture is clearly superior in most ways. He thinks the rest of the world should face that fact and get on board. Liberals tend to talk about things like blowback, seeing the point of view of others, taking seriously the criticism of our allies, and reaping what we sow, all of which comes across as self-hatred.
but no one should treat lightly the fundamental ideas, precepts, customs, attitudes, and institutions that have developed over millennia in the West, and which incorporate within them mechanisms for criticism and improvement that should be respected. (When I asked you what you were referring to here, you replied: "Some of the fundamental ideas that have come to animate the West, in the course of time, are these: the dignity of the individual, the duty of government towards its citizens, the rule of law, the centrality of rational discourse, and the value of progress. Some of the fundamental institutions: parliaments, universities, courts of law, learned societies, the press, and the free market." Is it noteworthy that "liberals" take these things "lightly" as contrasted with "conservatives"??)
These fundamental ideas of the West should be considered proven and taken as givens. The institutions and systems that have arisen along with these ideas are well equipped to maintain an equilibrium and even foster change in a measured way and we should not undermine those institutions in favor of big government, which is not as well equipped to handle such things. Liberals tend to look first to government to solve problems.
The conservative understands that one cannot put everything up for grabs without losing one's bearings (A peculiarly "conservative" point of view??)
A bit of hyperbole, perhaps. Conservatives would be resistant to change and liberals are activist change agents.
He understands that society has to work through its problems, and that no governmental solution exists for many of them (An opinion held by all, or only "conservatives"?)
Same as above. Societal institutions would solve problems at their own pace and in their own way. It's not smart to run to the Feds to preempt those processes because the institutions need our support and because the solution isn't necessarily a government one.
...He understands that an attack on a person's cherished beliefs and customs is an attack on that person (Many "conservatives" do not believe this; many "liberals" do. Whether accurate or not, it is a truth or a falsity which has nothing to do with politics)
This Western culture is so integral to the world view of traditionalists that they get really aroused and upset and dug in when their traditions are challenged, which is disruptive.
He is leery of an activist government (Do you mean like one openly proclaiming a religious bias and agenda? I suspect such "leeriness" would not be only illiberal, would it...)
Well, you see, that wouldn't be activist. That would be restoring things to where they should be, where they would have been had the liberals and the courts not been so activist these last few decades.
The conservative wants to see certain values honored: merit, honesty, trustworthiness, devotion to duty, among them. He would like to see a world where all take seriously their responsibilities, and can be counted on (Do you suggest that these values are distinctly "conservative"? Are "liberals" dishonest and untrustworthy, or hateful of merit?)
Merit has been undermined by affirmative action. Devotion to duty has been ridiculed by the "what can my country do for me" attitude of the nanny state. Honesty and trustworthiness may be references to Clinton and those who vote for him despite his character flaws.
That's my take. I'm sure Neo will straighten me out. |
