Fascinating Intra-Conservative Debate: The future (and past) of Conservatism

Here are links to a really interesting philosophical debate between Conservatives on the state and future of Conservatism.

It began with this lengthy essay by Andrew Sullivan (free logic required), editor of the New Republic and a gay conservative. His argument centers on the division between Conservatives of Faith and Conservatives of Doubt (in layman/simplistic terms, something akin to religious conservatives versus limited government conservatives).

Ramesh Ponnaru of National Review responded with these posts in blog form here.

Jonah Goldberg responds in column form here in a very thoughtful and insightful discussion of Sullivan's piece and Conservatism in general.

Overall, I think the whole discussion is fascinating. I won't write too much right now about my thoughts on Conservatism, but I do believe that the fact that intra-conservate philosophical debates such as these are so prevalent, indicates why Conservativism is the majority ideology these days: While intellectual examination has largely stagnated in the Left (I challenge anyone to cite major figures of the Left that are involved in open introspective analysis of their ideology), it is flourishing on the right.

Reading these pieces may not be for everyone (they are heavy in philosophical terms), I encourage everyone to at least give it a try. Feel free to send me your thoughts as well. I do love a good debate.