What is the defining issue of our time? Generations of conservatives have cautiously navigated political fads and cultural zeitgeists, emphasizing gradual reform and disdaining radical change in pursuit of utopian solutions. Politicians have come and gone, issues have changed, and the culture has evolved — but what’s anchored American conservatives is our reverence for and fidelity to the Constitution and our founding ideals.
Freedom of speech, individual liberty, and the rule of law have been, and continue to be, pillars upon which almost everything else in American society is built. Unsurprisingly, the answer most conservatives (going back several generations) would give to the question — what is the defining issue of our time — would relate back to these founding principles that we believe make our country great.
Why do we need to ask this question, if the answer (for American conservatives at least) should be so obvious? A schism has been forming in the conservative movement, with two distinct factions: Freedom Conservatives and National Conservatives. While these groups agree on many issues and the emergence of factions is a common pattern in American conservatism, what’s unique about today’s conservative counterparts is how they would answer the question we stated in the beginning of this essay.
National Conservatives have a high regard for using state power as a means to achieve ends and prioritize the common good (however defined) over individual freedom. These ideals lead many National Conservatives to consider economic protectionism (such as tariffs or industrial policy) and culture wars as the defining causes of the day.
For me, identifying with Freedom Conservatives over National Conservatives was an easy decision. In fact, I attended the inaugural Freedom Conservative Conference last month. What attracts me to Freedom Conservatism is its consistency with the ideals of America’s founding. As an evangelical Christian, my worldview is shaped by the belief that all people are made in the image of God — the imago Dei — and endowed with inherent dignity and purpose. This conviction aligns with the Declaration of Independence’s affirmation that “all men are created equal,” which informs the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.
At the Freedom Conservatism Conference, I found high esteem for founding principles. The dignity of the individual informed economic policies that encouraged innovation and entrepreneurship, while expanding opportunity for the poor. The skepticism of big government shaped strategies to reduce the size and scope of government, including balancing the budget and reforming entitlements. This wariness of government leads Freedom Conservatives to empower civil society — the family, churches, businesses, and civil organization — to take the lead in solving our country’s problems. I think Ronald Reagan was right when he said, “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
Voters tend to agree. Freedom of speech was ranked the second most important issue in the 2024 election. Support for religious freedom is higher than its been in years. Economic freedom, in the form of tax cuts and fewer government regulations, remains popular with voters. What do supporters of these issues have in common? A foundational belief in individual rights based upon the conviction that all men are created equal.
These gaps between Freedom and National Conservatives don’t suggest that we want a civil war within American conservatism. Freedom Conservatives and National Conservatives agree on much — from cutting government spending to securing our border and stopping illegal immigration. Conservatives of all stripes, including those who don’t align strictly with either camp, will need to work together to address these challenges. However, in the years ahead, the competition between Freedom and National Conservatives will play a pivotal role in shaping our governing vision.
Let’s revisit our original question; what is the defining issue of our time? I believe it is the maintenance of freedom. This is nothing new. Ronald Reagan agreed with this assertion, saying, “Perhaps you and I have lived too long with this miracle to properly be appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing, and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. And those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.”
The top concern for conservatives shouldn’t be “owning the libs,” enforcing party loyalty, or even winning the next election. The cause for conservatives, has been, and remains, fighting to for the preservation of the freedoms our country was built upon.