where the wisdom of deliberation comes in. It is that…
““where the wisdom of deliberation comes in. It is that deliberation that is one of the principal features of American conservatism as a coherent governing philosophy. If conservatives do not believe in the calm, sober use and restraint of government power, then we believe in nothing. Especially when it is exercised in haste, arbitrarily, and without deliberation or care. There is the trust your gut, shoot from the hip approach to political decision-making, and then there is the fly off the handle approach. As evidenced by the 2016 presidential campaign, flying off the handle is a big, big hit right now—at least in terms of its entertainment value and ratings. In this book I mean to establish that as a governing philosophy, the instability of flying off the handle is a disaster for the United States and is profoundly unconservative. The same goes for our state-of-the-art presidential bellicosity—which seems to be quite popular in “conservative” circles these days. That is the antithesis of conservatism, too. And it is also very often the antithesis of truth.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that thoughtful, restrained governance is essential to conservatism, and that impulsive, reckless politics undermines the nation and truth.
In simple terms: Deliberate, calm decision‑making is core to true conservatism; rash actions are harmful.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize measured, principled governance.
Themes
conservatism
governance
deliberation
political culture
truth
Mood
concerned
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislative decision‑making
- campaign strategy
- media analysis
- civic education
- policy development
Key Concepts
political philosophy
institutional restraint
public trust
Questions to Reflect On
- How can conservatives promote deliberation without appearing out‑of‑touch?
- What mechanisms can curb hasty political decisions?
A Different Perspective
Impulsive politics can be popular, making reform politically risky.