Enduring Moral Order
Conservatives believe in timeless moral truths, not fleeting whims. This view draws from Plato's ideas on harmony between soul and society. Ignoring moral order leads to societal decline, as seen in Ancient Greece where cleverness and greed were mistaken for wisdom.
Conservatives prioritize personal morals as the foundation for societal change. They value standards, customs, and tradition as guideposts. Prudence is emphasized – thoughtful change over hasty reform.
Variety within a shared framework of respect is preferred over uniformity or chaos. Conservatives accept human imperfection rather than chasing utopian ideals. They view property rights as essential to freedom and dignity.
Voluntary community is favored over mandated equality or distant centralized authority. Power should be limited and distributed to prevent abuse. The conservative approach balances permanence with necessary change, aiming to preserve core values while adapting to new realities.
Tradition, Custom, and Continuity
Tradition, custom, and continuity form the backbone of society in conservative thought. They represent accumulated wisdom passed down through generations. Customs foster shared understanding and behavior that bind communities. Continuity connects past insights to future progress.
Conservatives advocate for prudent evolution over chaotic revolution. They see these elements as safeguards ensuring society advances without losing its core values. This approach provides stability amid change and anchors society against uncertainty.
Liberty and Rule of Law
Liberty is central to conservatism, viewed as freedom from government overreach rather than license to do anything. It's seen as a sacred trust to be vigilantly protected.
The rule of law anchors liberty, providing predictability and fairness. It applies equally to all, from leaders to citizens, and limits government power. Conservatives see the Constitution as embodying these principles by clearly defining and limiting government authority.
Both liberty and rule of law are considered essential for a thriving democracy, working in tandem to preserve self-governance and protect against encroachment on individual rights.
Prudence and Change
Prudence guides conservative approaches to societal change. It balances enduring principles with necessary adaptations. This isn't resistance to all change, but insistence on careful consideration of broader impacts.
Conservatives advocate strategic, well-considered shifts in policy and culture. They aim to evolve society without eroding its foundations. This approach scrutinizes new ideas through historical wisdom and practical outcomes, seeking to advance while preserving what has proven valuable.
Diversity and Representation in Foreign Service
Conservatives criticize current U.S. Foreign Service recruitment for lacking genuine geographic and ideological diversity. They argue the system favors urban, coastal areas and political homogeneity, contrary to the Foreign Service Act of 1980's intent.
A proposed reform involves congressional nominations similar to military service academies. This aims to ensure representation from across America, bringing diverse perspectives to diplomacy.
Conservatives view the department's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) efforts as quota systems based on identity politics rather than merit. They advocate for authentic diversity reflecting America's full spectrum of values and experiences.
The goal is a Foreign Service that accurately represents America's varied makeup, challenging existing norms and adapting U.S. diplomacy to global changes.
Geographic Imbalance in Foreign Service Recruitment
- 4 states plus D.C. (population ~19 million) produced 691 new FSOs, over 1/3 of total
- 5 underrepresented states (similar population) produced only 16 FSOs
- 1 in 6000 D.C. residents became diplomats vs. worse than 1 in a million for some states
- 10 states received no senior State Department recruiter visits in 2023
The current system perpetuates political biases: 30% of new FSOs came from the Washington D.C. area, likely already embedded in the foreign policy establishment. Most recruits come from graduate schools that predominantly teach left-liberal political values.
To address these issues, conservatives propose ending State's hiring monopoly and transferring selection authority to senators and congressmen. This would potentially bring hundreds of overlooked Americans from diverse regions into the Foreign Service, ensuring a diplomatic corps that truly represents the nation's geographic and ideological diversity.
- Kirk R. The Politics of Prudence. Wilmington, DE: ISI Books; 1993.
- Foreign Service Act of 1980, 22 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq.
- Kissinger H. White House Years. Boston: Little, Brown and Company; 1979.