What does American conservatism seek to conserve? Edmund Burke’s respect for tradition and John Locke’s emphasis on individual liberty offer two starting points. In this January 2024 essay, I examine how caution about radical change can coexist with a commitment to limited government, private property, and the rights of individuals.
Burke’s response to the American colonies illustrates a practical willingness to change institutions in order to preserve them. America’s founding presents a different inheritance from Europe’s monarchies and aristocracies. I argue that American conservatism should protect constitutional principles rather than allegiance to a person or party, while adapting those principles to the needs of a changing society.
Read the essay and sources: https://joelkdouglas.com/2024/01/09/american-conservatism/
