What True Conservatism Really Is

Conservatism had been hijacked by big government, and uber religious Republicans. True conservatism rests in the principles of Classical Liberalism, and the only reason we don't call ourselves Liberals today, is the term was hijacked by FDR in the 1930's to promote his New Deal.

Here are the tenets of true Conservatism, or Classical Liberalism:

1. Individual autonomy

The basis of society is the individual. Humans are primarily motivated by self-interest.

2. Individual rights

If the individual is autonomous, then all individuals must be free and equal. This implies political equality, the protection of individual rights, respect for individual choices, and the use of reason in making decisions. "I am free and thus I rule myself." The key individual rights are freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, and the right to property.

3. Religious toleration

Individuals and the state must respect one's right to worship as one pleases. Implies a separation of church and state.

4. Popular sovereignty and consent

Government should be ruled by the people rather than by a monarch, a religious figure, or some other elite. Government's legitimacy rests on the consent of the governed..

5. Limited and representative government

The government's role in society and the scope of its power should be clearly defined. The purpose of government is to protect individual's life, liberty, and property. Further, in a society of autonomous individuals pursuing their own self-interests, government must represent the various interests of that society. This implies representative government, majority rule, constitutional government, and the rule of law.

6. Private property

Society should generally encourage the private accumulation of property rather than place restrictions on it. This implies an economy of free markets, equality of opportunity in the market, and competition. In sum, liberalism defends capitalism.

7. Universalism and progress

All people are fundamentally the same. Differences of culture, religion, race, gender, nationality, etc. are ultimately superficial. Overall, liberalism tends to interpret historically progressively: society, economy, technology are all advancing and elevating the human condition in the process.

These tenets are also the basics of Libertarianism. This is why we have the quote by Ronald Reagan "The Very Heart and Soul of Conservatism is Libertarianism." He said this because he understood that these beliefs, that were just stated, are Libertarian ideas, and true Conservatism rests on these principles.

Conservative for Change is about promoting these ideas as true Conservatism, and getting away from the hijacked meaning that the Republican Party has promoted the last 8 years.

Liberty for all, and Freedom for all.