The Conscience of a Conservative Summary

"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." This book explores the essence of conservatism and challenges America’s expanding federal power.

1. Conservatism Values the "Whole Man"

Conservatives believe that a person’s freedom is not only about economic prosperity but also about spiritual fulfillment. Barry Goldwater argues that liberal ideology simplifies our needs to just material well-being, ignoring human individuality and the essence of personal meaning. This spiritual dimension, he contends, is a pillar of conservatism.

This view leads to the belief that it is essential to preserve freedoms that allow personal responsibility and thoughtful decision-making. Conservatives maintain that societal and governmental systems should not dictate what brings meaning to people’s lives. Instead, each individual must be free to make these choices.

However, personal freedom has social boundaries. Conservatives recognize that for society to thrive, we need order – this means certain compromises, like paying taxes, to ensure mutual peace and prosperity. Freedom, therefore, is not limitless but balanced with social obligations.

Examples

• The liberal focus on universal economic needs reduces individuality; conservatism resists this.
• Spiritual needs differ person-to-person; only freedom honors these differences.
• Conservatives embrace some societal limits, like basic taxes, for communal order.

2. Limited Government Safeguards Freedom

Goldwater stresses the importance of limited government to ensure liberty and avoid tyranny. He describes how the U.S. Constitution intentionally restricts federal powers, balancing them with personal freedoms to prevent overreach.

The Constitution divides federal power into three branches: executive, legislative, and judiciary. Each branch works as a check against the others, ensuring no single institution gains absolute authority. Limited government is about preserving this balance and adhering to the originally intended roles of each branch.

Despite these safeguards, Goldwater critiques both Republicans and Democrats of the twentieth century for expanding federal control. He points out that such growth undermines the Constitution and allows the government to regulate people's lives in unprecedented and intrusive ways.

Examples

• Government's role of justice and law enforcement protects individual safety while maintaining liberty.
• The separation of powers ensures no single entity has unchecked control.
• 1960 federal spending ballooned, highlighting how both parties ignored constitutional limits.

3. States' Rights Protect Local Liberty

Goldwater asserts that states’ rights are a cornerstone of American democracy. By handling public utilities or education on a state level, residents maintain control and freedom in their daily lives, instead of succumbing to federal mandates that may ignore local concerns.

The Founding Fathers championed states’ rights because local governance ensures that decisions are closer to the people they impact. This way, community-specific needs are prioritized over a centralized one-size-fits-all approach. Without this, federal overreach likely erodes personal freedoms and disregards regional differences.

Goldwater warns about tactics, such as federal grants, which tempt states into submitting to national demands. States receiving federal funds run the risk of being blackmailed into complying with rules imposed by Congress, essentially stripping voters of their power.

Examples

• Texans managing Texas disability insurance versus a federal system.
• New Yorkers advocating for local infrastructure decisions.
• Federal matching funds incentivize state dependence on Washington's agenda.

4. Civil Rights Are the Federal Limit

Goldwater acknowledges civil rights as federally-protected individual rights, but argues that their definition must remain tied to the Constitution. When civil rights exceed these legal bounds, federal authorities are overstepping.

For instance, while the Constitution guarantees equal voting rights regardless of race, it does not mandate integrated schools—this falls outside the purview of federal power. Goldwater critiques excesses in civil rights interpretations that lead to forced interventions beyond what laws outline.

He warns that unchecked federal enforcement risks undermining states’ rights altogether. In this framework, liberty is best upheld when states respect Constitutional civil rights, allowing remaining issues to align with local legislation and citizen consensus.

Examples

• The Fifteenth Amendment protects minorities' voting rights federally.
• Desegregation debates challenge the Constitution’s scope of implementation.
• Courts granting power without clear constitutional grounds exemplify overreach.

5. Compulsory Union Membership Harms Workers’ Freedom

Trade unions serve a valid purpose when workers freely choose to join them for collective representation. However, Goldwater opposes mandatory union membership, calling it a threat to individual liberty.

If a worker doesn’t support a specific union or its policy but is forced to pay union dues, it undermines freedom of association. Goldwater advocates for right-to-work laws to allow workers the choice to opt-out without losing employment, preserving their autonomy.

Rather than compelling workers, Goldwater argues unions should earn their members’ trust and loyalty. This way, unions retain their integrity without infringing on non-members or violating personal freedom.

Examples

• Bob, the Pittsburgh worker, joining a communist-leaning union despite disagreeing with it.
• Right-to-work laws enable voluntary union contributions and respect worker choice.
• Charities like the Red Cross thrive through voluntary support, similar to how unions should.

6. Excessive Taxation Undermines Personal Freedom

Goldwater highlights how high taxation deprives citizens of their labor’s fruits, eroding personal sovereignty. He criticizes tax policies that redistribute wealth and punish financial success under a guise of equality.

Taxation should be limited to funding essential government functions, like law enforcement, which serve all citizens equally. Beyond that, progressive taxation disproportionately targets higher earners, effectively penalizing success and violating principles of fairness.

Goldwater recommends a taxation system where everyone contributes an equal percentage of their earnings instead of punitive policies determined by income scales. Equality in this form respects individuals regardless of socioeconomic differences.

Examples

• High earners taxed at 90 percent face punishment instead of reward for success.
• 1960 stats showing disproportionate taxes funding nonessential programs, like agriculture.
• A uniform tax rate exemplifies fairness without divisive redistribution.

7. The Welfare State Is a Modern Threat to Freedom

The welfare state, according to Goldwater, is a subtle form of collectivism that undermines personal responsibility and fosters dependency on government. Unlike Marxist uprisings, this works within democracies by offering entitlements, effectively binding citizens to the state.

This system encourages people to rely on government benefits rather than their own hard work or charitable communities. Goldwater argues that this diminishes individuals’ sense of self-reliance and their willingness to support one another voluntarily.

He critiques the welfare state's approach to morality, likening forced taxes for "compassionate" government programs to coercion. True benevolence, he asserts, comes from personal choice rather than imposed policies.

Examples

• In the welfare state, voters exchange freedom for entitlements.
• Individual charity promotes altruism better than forced redistribution.
• Government aid erodes family and community-based problem-solving.

8. Conserving Freedom Requires Responsibility

To Goldwater, freedom is not an absolute pursuit, but a balance between liberty and societal duties. He argues that while individuals must remain free, their choices should also contribute positively to the broader community.

A conservative society thrives when citizens embrace discipline and act responsibly. Financial choices, like wise spending or charitable efforts, are personal avenues to exercise freedom while aiding others.

When individuals habitually avoid responsibilities, they risk enabling bureaucratic intervention, which eventually curtails freedom through excessive regulation and state controls. Conservatives, therefore, prioritize personal effort and public integrity.

Examples

• Responsible individual action reduces government expansion.
• Free societies grow through voluntary transactions, avoiding overregulation.
• Acts of personal charity outperform coercive taxation in meaningful impact.

9. Governance Is About Empowerment, Not Dependence

Goldwater envisions governance that empowers citizens while ensuring fairness. This vision encompasses small government, local decision-making, and incentivizing self-reliance.

The goal is to foster a country where citizens can thrive without excessive interference. Empowerment arises when laws protect peaceful coexistence but avoid meddling with personal goals or values.

A balanced government stays true to its core purpose – providing security and maintaining order while rejecting overreach, redistribution, or dependence. Such a system respects free individuals without making them subjects of state control.

Examples

• Empowerment means preserving individual choice alongside law enforcement.
• Self-reliance supports both personal dignity and overall societal health.
• Localized decisions protect freedom better than federal mandates.

Takeaways

1. Advocate for policies that prioritize local governance and resist central overreach.
2. Support freedom of association by backing right-to-work laws and avoiding mandatory union membership.
3. Promote fair taxation systems that allow individuals to retain and use their earnings as they choose.