A Veritable Commentary On Conservatism

     With much hullabaloo about what is or is not conservatism, a rationally stated view is rare these days, but not unknown, as this Twitter thread demonstrates.

I want to make something clear here. I've been Conservative for over 3 decades, so I've seen countless infighting in my time alone, not just from what came before me. But a lot of Conservatives lose their ideology when they work in politics for money. They don't call the shots.

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

Conservatism is an ideology that predates the existence of these people. It will also outlast them. They can choose to believe in Conservative ideals, or not, or decide which faction suits them best. Or believe in something else and cling to the label. But they don't own it.

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

I'm an American Conservative, but also a Fusionist. I came to terms with the various factions decades ago, and I've actually fluctuated a bit across them over time. But I've never had the gall to try and whittle it down to merely one of those factions. The reason why is simple.

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

The strength of modern day Conservatism (essentially the movement since the 1940s) is the factions themselves. They are a check and a balance within the ideology. Many ideals conflict. Politics change. There are different underpinnings which cause division, but create alliances.

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

I'm not here to gate keep Conservatism. But I'm one of those people who believe in it, and don't wish to see it diminished by it's so-called defenders. It's not perfect, and it's changed over time, as people and factions have changed. It's worth protecting. It's unique.

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

I think American Conservatism stands out as a more modern ideology, and it reflects a lot of things that countless millions of people believe, and I maintain it validates other movements by popularizing ideals that are common between them.

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

Conservatism isn't merely a collection of ideals somehow unique to it. It's a culmination of values and determinations that go hand-in-hand. Individual freedom and responsibility. Free market economics and fiscal restraint. Family values and preservation of community.

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

Individual sovereignty and rights of association. Limited government and rule of law. National security and global leadership. To different degrees people within the movement will object to some of these ideals, or how they are implemented (politics), or conflict with others.

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

Conservatives are generally pro-life and pro-religion. Against racism but against quota systems. For self-defense and property rights. On and on and on. I'll digress, but I don't agree with people who are outside the movement, yet cling to the label, and only critique us. /end

— Nick Carroll (@LibertyAndTech) April 21, 2022

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