Today, I started reading a fascinating book by Edwin J. Feulner titled, The March Of Freedom: Modern Classics in Conservative Thought. I would like to share a quote from my reading. Feulner (1998) stated,
"American conservatism is highly suspicious for promised utopia and earthly salvation. The purpose of politics is not redemptive, it is to carve out a system of justice, moral order and freedom, recognizing that human beings are neither perfect nor perfectible. When governments seek after utopia they end in oppression and disaster, because man and society are infinitely complex, and cannot be reshaped by an aristocracy of experts. Humility is the only proper attitude for governing authorities.
Conservatives-all conservatives from libertarian to traditionalist-believe that social power is a zero-sum game. When it is taken by government it is lost by individuals. This calls for prudent restraints on the role and reach of government. 'There must be a stopping point,' argues Charles Murray, 'some rule by which governments limit what they do for people-not just because of budget constraints, not just because of infringements on freedom (though either of these might be a sufficient reason in itself), but because happiness is impossible unless people are left alone to take trouble over important things.'" (p. xvii).
This book was written over twelve years ago. It was true then, and it is true now.
Reference:
Feulner, E. J. (1998). The march of freedom: modern classics in conservative thought. Dallas, TX: Spence Publishing Company.
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