Spring Break
Progressives and conservatives
By: William Mulgrew
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Ed-Op
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 3:00 AM EST
Last update: 5/4/07 at 3:05 AM EST
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 3:00 AM EST
Last update: 5/4/07 at 3:05 AM EST
Who are the progressives and who are the conservatives? We know the American conservative and progressive camps diverge on matters much more fundamental than political parties or specific policies. To find out, we must apply the test: whose ideas of progress; what to conserve?
They differ in how they view social change, human nature and the root of society. Conservatives do not oppose change. They do not oppose technological innovation, for instance, so long as man does not play God. They merely recognize that not all change brings progress.
Societies can progress and societies can decline. Progressives naively emphasize the former and overlook the latter. If societies always progressed, there wouldn't have been a period called the Dark Ages from the fifth through the tenth centuries. Instead, the conservative must respect, study, and learn from the past and preserve those elements of society that worked. It's for this reason that Russell Kirk insisted throughout his life and writings that conservatism is not an ideology, but merely common sense.
But Progressives regularly demonstrate that common sense isn't all that common, and ignore history's lessons. In 1607, the colonists of Jamestown learned that their egalitarian method of sharing all food and goods from a common warehouse under a central authority caused six months of starving. Their experiment in socialism had starved to death 76 of the 104 original settlers. It compelled Captain John Smith to reaffirm a Biblical principle, "Those who do not work shall not eat." Progressives believe human nature has improved since 1607, and can be perfected. Conservatives recognize that human nature always seeks the path of least resistance. If people have the opportunity to benefit at the expense of others, they will, and this will never change.
Frederic Bastiat said there are three kinds of society: the few plunder the many, the many plunder the few or no one plunders anyone. Plunder, Bastiat said, can be legal or illegal. I can illegally steal your money directly, or I can lobby the government to legally do it for me, often under the guise of some benevolent social program. Bastiat properly called it theft and false charity. "Progressives" call it social justice.
They differ in how they view social change, human nature and the root of society. Conservatives do not oppose change. They do not oppose technological innovation, for instance, so long as man does not play God. They merely recognize that not all change brings progress.
Societies can progress and societies can decline. Progressives naively emphasize the former and overlook the latter. If societies always progressed, there wouldn't have been a period called the Dark Ages from the fifth through the tenth centuries. Instead, the conservative must respect, study, and learn from the past and preserve those elements of society that worked. It's for this reason that Russell Kirk insisted throughout his life and writings that conservatism is not an ideology, but merely common sense.
But Progressives regularly demonstrate that common sense isn't all that common, and ignore history's lessons. In 1607, the colonists of Jamestown learned that their egalitarian method of sharing all food and goods from a common warehouse under a central authority caused six months of starving. Their experiment in socialism had starved to death 76 of the 104 original settlers. It compelled Captain John Smith to reaffirm a Biblical principle, "Those who do not work shall not eat." Progressives believe human nature has improved since 1607, and can be perfected. Conservatives recognize that human nature always seeks the path of least resistance. If people have the opportunity to benefit at the expense of others, they will, and this will never change.
Frederic Bastiat said there are three kinds of society: the few plunder the many, the many plunder the few or no one plunders anyone. Plunder, Bastiat said, can be legal or illegal. I can illegally steal your money directly, or I can lobby the government to legally do it for me, often under the guise of some benevolent social program. Bastiat properly called it theft and false charity. "Progressives" call it social justice.
Ken
posted 5/04/07 @ 9:23 AM EST
"Unlike other animals, humans are not born independent. They are equally dependent after birth as they were before. They must be loved, raised, and educated. (Continued…)