Posted by
stevo on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 12:15:57 PM
In recent years, I have read and enjoyed the increasing number of
labels handed out to particular groups of conservatives (e.g. crunchy
cons and neo-cons). At the same time, I am not sure there has been any
attempt to specifically label young conservatives and identify the
heart of future conservatism.
As a young conservative myself, I am familiar with the philosophical
undercurrents and social dispositions of many in this young moment. I
was the Communications Director for two years with the Calvin College
Republicans, and was a conservative voice in our school newspaper.
In order to "tap the power" of the movement that will someday come to
dominate conservative politics, I believe we should seek to understand
this movement and, yes....even label it. After some thought and online
exploration to make sure that this title would be fitting, I have
settled upon the label "conscientious conservatism."
Who wouldn't like that for a title? In Yahool searches, the label
"conscientious" was given to conservatives like Tom DeLay and Lindsay
Graham to enhance their profile. The term is pregnant with positive
connotations, much like Marvin Olasky's "compassionate conservatism",
but without the baggage that may now be associated with the latter term
because of President Bush's "compromised conservatism."
Let me explain why this the term I have suggested is useful as a label
for young conservatives. Young conservatives are awash in the current
postmodern millieu, yet they also find themselves to be principled in
reaction to the morally corrosive culture of their parents. Thus, they
are both less abrasive than many of today's conservatives, yet they are
filled with a greater sense of conviction. They do not merely bemoan
the condition of the American family as it has become, they have
experienced it in their own upbrining. They speak, not as outsiders
blowing hot wind at pertinent issues, but as insiders who have
experienced the issues on the practical level and cry out "No more!"
This is a movement to be reckoned with, and it must be taken seriously.
It cries for charismatic voices, like former OK Rep. J.C. Watts. It
desires the principled and self-sacrificing politics of Sen. Rick
Santorum. It seeks compromise, but not at the expense of conviction. It
is hard to find high-profile politicians who would adequately fill that
role.
As "conscientious conservatives" continue to find their voice in our
nation's academic institutions (and are given greater courage by
academic rights champion, David Horowitz), they must be pulled into the
mainstream of conservative politics. They need young and diverse
representatives of their cause. This will not only satisfy their
disillusionment with the 60's-70's disillusionment generation, but
these faces and this brand of politics would bring a new-found vitality
to the diminishing conservative movement.