The heath-care debate now taking place in this country is a perfect illustration of the difference between progressivism and conservatism. Before reading further, read this column by United States Senator Mitch McConnell, who frames the issue well. Progressives want radical or revolutionary change in the health-care system. They want to remake the entire system so that it accords with their abstract ideals, one of which is equality and another of which is solidarity. Conservatives also want change, but they insist on two things: first, that the change be gradual rather than abrupt; and second, that the change come from within the existing health-care system rather than from outside it. Do you see the difference?
Progressives and conservatives have different attitudes toward change. This is why it makes sense to speak of legal, moral, political, linguistic, medical, epistemic, religious, scientific, economic, social, constitutional, and methodological progressivism/conservatism. In each of these realms, change occurs. The realms are dynamic, not static. The debate is not about whether to change but about the pace and source of change. I find it interesting that progressives say that conservatives are opposed to change. As McConnell points out, this is false. (It may also be a lie, but I will be charitable.) Progressives confuse change with radical change. That is, they rule out the possibility of gradual, endogenous change. The difference between progressives and conservatives may come down to patience. Progressives are impatient; conservatives are patient.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 