| In 2018, Congressman Johnson drafted this short summary of the central beliefs of American conservatives to help anchor the work of the Republican Study Committee in the timeless principles that made our nation the freest, strongest, and most prosperous in human history. Since that time, many other conservative organizations and lawmaking bodies nationwide have adopted this list as their own. |
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1. Individual Freedom The birth of our great nation was inspired by the bold declaration that our individual,God-given liberties should be preserved against government intrusion. That same conviction informs our conservative policy decisions still today. In America,we proclaim the self-evident truths that all of us are created equal and granted by God the same inherent freedoms, such as the natural and unalienable rights to life, liberty, conscience, free speech and the free exercise of religion, and the ability to pursue happiness, own property, build wealth and defend ourselves and our families. The purpose of government is to secure these rights, and the ideas we advance should always aim to maintain and increase the liberty of the American people. -
2. Limited Government For individual liberty to be championed, government must be reduced. We believe, as our founders did, that legitimate government operates only by the consent of the governed, and is more efficient and less corrupt when it is limited in its size and scope. When applied as written, our incomparable Constitution provides important safeguards against government encroachment, a vital separation of powers, and a necessary system of checks and balances. Federalism, decentralized authority, and the elimination of unnecessary regulations and bureaucracy help ensure that government serves the people, and not the other way around. The best protection against government largesse is an engaged and informed electorate. -
3. The Rule of Law Our is "a government of laws and not of men," and the rule of law is our foundation. To maintain ordered liberty and a civilized society, public and private virtue should be encouraged and justice must be administered equally and impartially to all. Each branch of government must adhere to the Constitution, and the judicial branch must not be allowed to assume or exercise legislative or executive powers. Transparency and accountability are keys to good government, and Congress must faithfully perform its constitutional responsibility of oversight. -
4. Peace through Strength The first obligation of the federal government is to provide for the “common defense” of the United States by securing our borders and protecting our homeland and our strategic interests abroad. We are not “the world’s police force,” but because America serves in a natural role of moral leadership in an increasingly dangerous world, and weakness invites aggression, we must remain the strongest military power on earth—fully prepared and capable of defeating any adversaries, tyrants or terrorists, under any circ*mstances, at any time. This requires maintaining sufficient investments in our air, land, sea, nuclear, and cyber capabilities to deter foreign aggression, and properly training, equipping, and supporting our troops and their families, as well as our veterans and wounded warriors. -
5. Fiscal Responsibility Because government has refused to live within its means, America is facing an unprecedented debt and spending crisis. Federal debt now exceeds $33.5 trillion, and our current fiscal path is unsustainable and dangerous,jeopardizing our nation's economic growth, stability and the security of future generations. Congress has a moral and constitutional duty to resolve the crisis, bring spending under control, balance the federal budget, reform and modernize entitlement programs, eliminate fraud, waste and abuse, pursue continued pro-growth tax reforms and permanent tax reductions, and restore regular order and accountability in the budget and appropriations processes. -
6. Free Markets Government often stands as the greatest obstacle to the progress and prosperity of free people. Free markets and free trade agreements allow for innovation, improvement and economic expansion as risk-takers, entrepreneurs and business owners are given the liberty to pursue the American dream and create more jobs and upward mobility for more people. We believe competition should be encouraged, and government intervention and regulation should be limited. The people are better qualified to make decisions about their own lives and finances than bureaucrats, and the private sector will outperform the public sector in virtually every scenario. The free enterprise system rewards hard work and self-sacrifice, and is the basis and genius of the American economy. -
7. Human Dignity Because all men are created equal and in the image of God, every human life has inestimable dignity and value, and every person should be measured only by the content of their character. A just government protects life, honors marriage and family as the primary institutions of a healthy society, and embraces the vital cultural influences of religion and morality. Public policy should always encourage education and emphasize the virtue of hard work as a pathway out of-poverty, while public assistance programs should be reserved only for those who are truly in need. In America, everyone who plays by the rules should get a fair shot. By preserving these ideals, we will maintain the goodness of America that has been the secret to our greatness. |
As a seasoned political analyst and commentator with a deep understanding of conservative principles, I can attest to the significance of the document you've presented, which outlines the core beliefs of American conservatives. This document, drafted by Congressman Johnson in 2018, encapsulates the foundational principles that have guided the Republican Study Committee and numerous other conservative organizations and legislative bodies across the nation.
Let's delve into the key concepts articulated in the article:
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Individual Freedom:
The central tenet of American conservatism is the preservation of individual, God-given liberties against government intrusion. This principle is rooted in the idea that all individuals are created equal and endowed by God with inherent freedoms, including life, liberty, conscience, free speech, the free exercise of religion, and the pursuit of happiness. The government's role is to secure these rights, and conservative policies aim to enhance the liberty of the American people.
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Limited Government:
To champion individual liberty, conservatives advocate for a limited government, echoing the beliefs of the Founding Fathers. The Constitution serves as a crucial tool in preventing government overreach through safeguards, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Federalism, decentralized authority, and the reduction of unnecessary regulations ensure that government serves the people rather than controlling them.
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The Rule of Law:
The foundation of American society is the rule of law, emphasizing a government of laws rather than individuals. Public and private virtue, equal and impartial justice, adherence to the Constitution by all branches of government, and transparency contribute to a civilized society. Congress is responsible for oversight, ensuring accountability and maintaining the rule of law.
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Peace through Strength:
The federal government's primary obligation is to provide for the common defense, securing borders and protecting strategic interests. While not acting as the world's police force, America, as a moral leader, maintains military strength to deter aggression. This involves investing in and supporting a well-equipped military capable of defeating any adversaries or threats.
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Fiscal Responsibility:
Conservatives address the nation's debt and spending crisis by advocating for responsible fiscal policies. This includes bringing spending under control, balancing the federal budget, reforming entitlement programs, eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse, and pursuing pro-growth tax reforms. The aim is to ensure economic growth, stability, and security for future generations.
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Free Markets:
Conservatives believe that free markets and trade agreements foster innovation and economic expansion. By limiting government intervention and regulation, individuals in the private sector can pursue the American dream, creating jobs and promoting upward mobility. Competition is encouraged, and the private sector is trusted to outperform the public sector in fostering economic prosperity.
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Human Dignity:
Rooted in the belief that all individuals are created equal and in the image of God, conservatives emphasize the inestimable dignity and value of every human life. A just government protects life, upholds the institutions of marriage and family, and recognizes the cultural importance of religion and morality. Public policy encourages education, hard work, and limits public assistance programs to those truly in need.
By preserving these core conservative ideals, the document argues, America can maintain its greatness and uphold the principles that have historically defined the nation's character.
FAQs
Authority is a core tenet of conservatism. More specifically, conservatives tend to believe in traditional authority. This form of authority, according to Max Weber, is "resting on an established belief in the sanctity of immemorial traditions and the legitimacy of those exercising authority under them".
What are the core themes of conservatism answer? ›
Authority is a core tenet of conservatism. More specifically, conservatives tend to believe in traditional authority. This form of authority, according to Max Weber, is "resting on an established belief in the sanctity of immemorial traditions and the legitimacy of those exercising authority under them".
What are the core political values of conservatives? ›
Conservatives in the United States historically view individual liberty within the bounds of conservative values as the fundamental trait of democracy. They typically believe in a balance between federal government and states' rights.
What were the principles behind the conservative order? ›
Despite their differences, most conservatives held to some general principles and beliefs: Obedience to political authority. The centrality of organized religion to social order. Opposition to revolutionary upheavals.
What are the key ideas of conservatism tradition? ›
Hierarchy, organicism, and authority
Traditionalist conservatives believe that human society is essentially hierarchical (i.e., it always involves various interdependent inequalities, degrees, and classes) and that political structures that recognize this fact prove the most just, thriving, and generally beneficial.
What are the seven elements of conservatism? ›
7 Core Principles of Conservatism
- Individual Freedom. The birth of our great nation was inspired by the bold declaration that our individual,God-given liberties should be preserved against government intrusion. ...
- Limited Government. ...
- The Rule of Law. ...
- Peace through Strength. ...
- Fiscal Responsibility. ...
- Free Markets. ...
- Human Dignity.
Moderate Republicans are sometimes called 'Moder(n)ate Republicans. ' They often support gay rights, a woman's right to choose, climate change initiatives, and abolition of the death penalty.
What are the core principles of liberalism? ›
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality, right to private property and equality before the law.
What do the conservatives stand for? ›
The party is British unionist, historically opposing Irish reunification, Scottish and Welsh independence, and is generally critical of devolution. After a leadership election in the Conservative Party in July, August and September 2022, Liz Truss became the leader of the party.
What do Democrats believe in? ›
Democratic platforms seek to promote social programs, labor unions, consumer protection, workplace safety regulation, equal opportunity, disability rights, racial equity, regulations against environmental pollution, and criminal justice reform.
Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutions, such as traditional family structures, gender roles, sexual relations, national patriotism, and religious traditions.
What are the forces of conservatism? ›
The most familiar conservative forces are gravity, the electric force (in a time-independent magnetic field, see Faraday's law), and spring force. Many forces (particularly those that depend on velocity) are not force fields.
What are the principles of the left and right wing? ›
The left seeks social justice through redistributive social and economic policies, while the right defends private property and capitalism. The nature of the conflict depends on existing social and political cleavages and on the level of economic development.
Who is considered as the father of political science? ›
Aristotle is regarded as the father of political science. He was a great Greek philosopher. He was the first one to give a working definition of political science.
What is neoconservative ideology? ›
Neoconservatives typically advocate the unilateral promotion of democracy and interventionism in international affairs, grounded in a militaristic and realist philosophy of "peace through strength." They are known for espousing opposition to communism and political radicalism.
What does pragmatic mean in politics? ›
Pragmatic conservatism is a political ideology which refers to making decisions based on current situations, while maintaining elements of conservative policy.
What was the basic philosophy of the conservatives Class 10? ›
The conservatives favoured tradition, culture and nationally defined beliefs and customs and were of the opinion that these factors drove external changes in the society. The basic philosophy of the conservatives was they stressed the importance of tradition and established institutions and customs.
What is the concept of libertarianism? ›
'freedom') is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, emphasizing equality before the law and civil rights to freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of thought and freedom of choice.
What are the fundamental beliefs of liberalism today? ›
The fundamental liberal ideals of freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the separation of church and state, the right to due process, and equality before the law are widely accepted as a common foundation of liberalism.
What is an ideology in simple terms? ›
An ideology is a set of opinions or beliefs of a group or an individual. Very often ideology refers to a set of political beliefs or a set of ideas that characterize a particular culture. Capitalism, communism, socialism, and Marxism are ideologies.
