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Pastimes : THE SLIGHTLY MODERATED BOXING RING -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neocon who wrote (7230)	4/5/2002 6:24:06 PM
From: Solon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 21057

"So you think that liberals are leery of using the federal government? That they are particularly respectful of traditional institutions? That they are against social engineering in most instances? That they are especially concerned with a call to duty, rather than a call to liberation? That they have a great deal of anxiety about conserving Western Civilization as such? Interesting, I would not have thought any of these things......." These are not the things you said. You said this. I will bold and critique as I go... WHAT CONSERVATISM MEANS TO ME The frame of reference for the true conservative is Western Civilization. It is something that commands allegiance because of its inherent goodness and beauty, but also because it is the basis for the modern world and its achievements. Without Western Civilization, it is almost impossible to imagine the development of democracy, rational jurisprudence, laboratory science, advanced technology, or the hope of bringing the mass of humankind out of the bondage of ignorance, disease, and endless toil. 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?) ...and seeks to defend it, not only for its sake, but for the sake of the world, which must progress or die. Many things may change without harm; many things may even be an improvement; 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"??) The conservative understands that one cannot put everything up for grabs without losing one's bearings (A peculiarly "conservative" point of view??) ...and therefore that hallowed ideas and institutions should be treated carefully, and much should be considered as settled at any given time. 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"?) ...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) ...and that we should be very careful about stirring up anger and division in society by clumsy attempts to interfere with community norms and private traditions. 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...) ...and sets a high bar before supporting anything resembling social engineering. In other ways, he considers the onus on those who want to use governmental power to accomplish their ends. He is leery of taking economic power out of the private sector, and of federalizing issues that could be dealt with by the states, for example. He is inclined to view favorably and encourage "mediating institutions", public but non- governmental corporations, like churches and charitable foundations and civic groups, from the Boy Scouts to the Kiwanis. 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?) ...Human beings may falter, but it is better to do one's best than to cynically turn one's back on standards of character and decorum. I have tried to give an idea of what I think conservatism is. I am curious to see what comments are elicited.......