The Americanism of Barry Goldwater

This last weekend, I picked up a book at my local second-hand book store. The book is a discussion about the views and beliefs of Barry Goldwater. I've seen Barry Goldwater's name come up in many a discussion, but I'm personally not familiar with him or what he stood for. I decided to read this book to help familiarize myself with the man. So far, I'm very impressed.

 

As I was reading, I came upon the following passage that I thought was profound. It says a lot about how far the beliefs of the conservative party have drifted away from where they once were. I've seen the association made that Barry Goldwater was more a libertarian--or at least had libertarian leanings--than most of his conservative peers. After reading his Ten Characteristics of Conservatism, I can see why this was said. Being a libertarian myself, I tend to agree with most of what he felt "true conservatives" should hold true to. The following illustrates why it is so important for people to be deeply anchored in their values and beliefs. After all, given enough time it really doesn't take much effort to be blown off course. (I'd estimate about 40 years.)

 

Barry Goldwater equates today's conservatism with the philosophy based on the natural rights of man--which was the lodestone of liberal thinkers who created Americanism--and he maintains that this philosophy, whether it be labeled conservative or liberal, is timeless. In refuting those "enlightened critics" who claim that his views are out of date, he says, "The charge is preposterous. The laws of God, and of nature, have no dateline."   Barry Goldwater has been more explicit about what conservatism means to him in each of the areas of government where it comes in conflict with liberalism. He has talked about it repeatedly, written about it fully. There is no reason for anybody who is able to read or willing to listen to be confused about his views. Perhaps he summarized the conservative creed best in a speech which appeared in The Congressional Record on September 20, 1963. He said:   The conservative movement in America is bristling with controversy, political fireworks, new ideas, splinter groups of all kinds and a crying need for definition of its basic characteristics, roots, ideology and purpose. In this paper I plan to define ten marks of conservative political thought in America.   1. SELF RESPONSIBILITY   The conservative believes that each individual citizen possesses the total responsibility for his life, his obligations, and the consequences of his actions and beliefs.     2. A BELIEF IN THE MORALITY OF PROFITABLE ENTERPRISE      In the long run, earned profits are the surest sign of the responsible behavior by all who make up a legitimate enterprise in a free society. Any person can demonstrate the morality of profits to himself by working hard for a year and achieving the goal of having enough money left over in his savings, after all his expenses and obligations have been satisfied.     3. VOLUNTARISM   Conservatives believe that if individual rights and the choosing of goals are kept in the people's hands, this Nation has its best guarantee of progress, peace, economic growth, and justice for the individual citizen.     4. EQUALITY UNDER LAW   Conservative thought demands a legal and political structure which insures free competition, redress for injury, fair trial, equal rights of participation, and the right of a citizen to protect his home and his property. We do not believe in any kind of second-class citizenship, nor in restricting people in any way for reasons of race, color, or hereditary characteristics.     5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOCIETY   Conservatives are keenly aware of their responsibilities to family, community, state and society, and they discharge them. They pay the bills for our society, keep the machinery of civilization in operation, create new growth, build career opportunities for others and help those who need help. You will find them managing most effective businesses, charities, and constructive associations to advance society.     6. A BELIEF THAT RIGHTS ARE WEDDED TO RESPONSIBILITIES   With the maxim that you can't get something worthwhile for nothing, conservatives affirm that individual freedom, the greatest human right of all, is tied to its twin--our revolutionary responsibility to extend and preserve freedom within and outside our borders.     7. A BELIEF IN THE DISPERSION OF POWER   Our belief in the checks and balances of our republic impel us to regard any concentration of governmental, economic or social power as dangerous to the society. For this reason, conservatives would cut down any monolithic, arbitrary power over the whole of society whether it resides in the Government, the State, the church, in a company, a union or association.     8. A BELIEF THAT LIFE ON EARTH CAN BE IMPROVED   A modern conservative recognizes and welcomes change. He wants to get on with the job of figuring out how to deal intelligently with today and tomorrow. He believes in the perfectibility of human society and works for it in a practical way.     9. INSISTENCE ON BALANCING THE BOOKS   In a free society, conservatives believe that individuals, cities, States, the Federal Government, and every kind of industrial and commercial enterprise cannot survive unless they balance their books realistically. Responsible individuals and organizations pay their debts, live within their incomes and provide reserves for their future needs. Irresponsible people court bankruptcy by 'betting on the come,' or incurring obligations for future generations to pay off. In the last 30 years, our largely liberal governments have demonstrated this liberal belief that the piper never has to be paid. This cannot work.     10. THE IDEA THAT ACTIONS REFLECT BASIC BELIEFS   If men, organizations, or States oppress or exploit human beings, refuse to behave with honor and integrity, repudiate their debts and commit crimes against their fellows they cannot be treated as equals to those who maintain the constructive values of human civilization. Their actions bespeak their degeneracy. Conservatives would seek to establish social instruments that enable society to deal with spoilers for what they are--the living representatives of the lowest and most destructive human impulses.

 

*This excerpt was taken from The Americanism of Barry Goldwater. It was written by Frank R. Donovan in 1964 and published by MacFadden Books.