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Conservatism is the preference for tradition over innovation, and for experience over theory.

Personally, I reject the identification of conservatism with individualism (though I recognize that there is a definite strain of individualism within American conservatism), as well as the implication that the only alternative to individualism is statism or collectivism. In fact, the community consists of many, many institutions, including state, individual, family, friends, church, neighborhood, workplace, each of which has its own place in the grand scheme of things. The function of these mediating institutions is largely to control--yes, control--individuals without recourse to the awesome and dangerous powers of the state, which should be invoked only in extreme cases.

Our current problems stem largely from the fact that we now see things as being either a fit subject for state regulation, or not a fit subject for regulation at all. We have abandoned the traditional methods of social regulation largely through mediating institutions.

Now we're left with letting individuals run wild, or calling upon the state to regulate their behavior. As a conservative, I'm frankly not sure which is worse, which is why I am pessimistic about at least the middle-term future of America and the world.

re: "In fact, the community consists of many, many institutions, including state, individual, family, friends, church, neighborhood, workplace, each of which has its own place in the grand scheme of things. The function of these mediating institutions is largely to control--yes, control--individuals without recourse to the awesome and dangerous powers of the state, which should be invoked only in extreme cases. "

To this I feel I must take issue. It must be stated that these institutions are currently not to "control" individuals, but to provide a framework within which they teach and convince individuals to control themselves. A source for individuals to learn self discipine.

Some grow up. Some don't. It's as simple...and as difficult, as that!

How to keep the large children from wreaking too much damage on the social fabric has always been the problem: A difficult balancing act.

But there is reason to be optimistic. After periods when "rights" take precedence over self-control, the pendulum tends to swing back toward relative sanity. Human society can tolerate only so much acting out.

Several years ago, I formed the opinion that government should be similar to a referee in a sporting event. How many times have all of us watched a game and see the ref's take control. A good game is when the ref's let the players play and blow the whistle on major infractions. That is how I believe government should be. Let the citizens(players) go on with life(play the game). When major infractions occur(going against the Constitution), the government should take momentary control(blow the whistle). Example - segregation. Goes against the Constitution. Blow the whistle.