What is a Conservative?
And How Do We Remain United
It’s a great question—and not easily answered. The truth is, there is no single, neatly packaged definition that every conservative would agree on. But that’s part of what makes conservatism remarkable.
In today’s political landscape, “conservative” generally refers to a political and social philosophy that emphasizes tradition, limited government, individual freedom and liberty, free markets and capitalism, strong national defense, and—above all—constitutional Rule of Law. Without the rule of law, there is no country.
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The Conservative Spectrum
Under the broad umbrella of conservatism, there are distinct variations—each bringing its own priorities and perspective to the table:
Fiscal Conservatives — Primarily focused on economic issues: lower taxes, reduced government spending, balanced budgets, and keeping the government’s hand out of your pocketbook.
Social Conservatives — Concerned with preserving traditional values, social norms, and religious beliefs. They champion a strong moral foundation as the bedrock of a healthy society.
National Conservatives — Seek to conserve and strengthen the nation as a distinct, self-governing entity. They prioritize national identity, cultural heritage, and sovereignty—and firmly oppose globalism.
And there are other conservative factions as well. Most traditional conservatives incorporate elements of all of the above.
The Glory—and Challenge—of Conservative Thought
Here lies both the glory and the complication of conservatism: we are founded on a diversity of ideas.
Unlike the establishment arm of either party, or the radical progressive left that marches in lock-step within rigid ideologies, conservatives think independently. We prioritize different values at different times. We debate. We disagree.
This intellectual diversity is a strength—but it also creates fault lines. If we as conservatives each pull in a different direction, we risk fracturing at the very moments when unity matters most.
So the question becomes: Where do we draw the line between virtuous individual thought and the understanding that life requires trade-offs between competing desires and preferences?
What is it that must—not may—unite all conservative factions together?
The Four Pillars That Unite Us
At the core of every conservative heart, regardless of faction, are these four unshakable pillars:
1
Love and Respect for
FREEDOM
2
Love and Respect for
LIBERTY
3
Love and Respect for an
ORDERLY SOCIETY
4
Love and Respect for the
CONSTITUTION
That fourth pillar deserves special emphasis: love and respect for the Constitution in its originalism and textualism—meaning the Constitution is not pliable. It means what it says, as written and as intended.
The Day of Reckoning: Your Vote
The critical challenge of conservatism is the ability to remain united at those critical moments—and the most critical moment is the day you cast your ballot.
The idea of refusing to vote for a member of our team—as selected through the primary process—is beyond comprehension.
You cannot allow your personal, emotional self-interests to take precedence when the alternative is a candidate intent on denying you your freedom, your liberty, and your right to live under constitutional rule of law.
Ask yourself: What do we lose if we lose?
The answer is everything.
We lived it under the Biden administration. You have a responsibility to be loyal to the conservative cause over your emotional self-interests when performing your duty in any election.
Truth: The Bedrock of Conservatism
One of the “everythings” we stand to lose is truth itself.
When truth withers on the vine, freedom dies.
When factions on the Right or Left censor, they are not censoring lies—they are censoring truth.
Truth is a bedrock of conservatism, and we must guard it fiercely.
Gratitude: The Conservative Instinct
Gratitude is part of the conservative character—gratitude for what is good and what works within our society, and then striving to build upon it.
We are thankful for those who created this exceptional nation.
We are thankful for those who fought—and many who paid the ultimate price—to preserve our precious freedom, liberty, and constitutional rule of law.
Contrast this with the liberal instinct, which begins with outrage at all they perceive to be bad and broken, and seeks to uproot it.
Conservatives begin with gratitude. That distinction matters.
A Final Word on the Constitution
Our Constitution is never pliable. It is rock solid.
The reason this matters: the objective of the liberal agenda is to increase the power of the State and decrease the power of the individual.
A rigid, originalist Constitution is our shield against that transfer of power.
And make no mistake—radical liberals have a very uncomplicated explanation for conservatism: they call it a mental disorder. Consider the source.