I'm trying to formulate a coherent understanding of what this position entails and would like some feedback. I haven't read many of the 'classics' on this topic, but instead have arrived at my opinions based upon experience and intuition. I probably hold a very idiosyncratic blend of progressive and conservative positions that I feel are, or can be, complementary rather than contradictory. To me, being a social conservative is bound up with an overall way of thinking and being that can be expressed in particular beliefs and positions. Some basic guidelines would include:

The idea that the good of the community takes precedence over individual freedom. The opposite of libertarianism I guess. Or, more properly perhaps, the belief that genuine individuality thrives best when undertaken in collaboration with others for the sake of larger social goals that benefit everyone. In other words, there's a symbiotic relationship between ourselves and our community and the failure to understand this - or to deviate too far to one extreme or the other - has had a disastrous impact upon both.

The idea that life - especially human life - is sacred, for lack of a more sophisticated way of expressing this view. My personal views have tended towards anti-abortion in recent years, for example, despite the fact that I'm not an overtly 'religious' person. War, and the use of violence generally, should also be undertaken only as a last resort. A further consequence of this position, for me at least, is a very progressive (almost socialist) economic agenda that would tax the shit out of the extremely wealthy and redistribute it to the less fortunate while also investing in schools, infrastructure, healthcare, etc. It's a sincere attempt to implement the notion that people are ends in themselves and should be treated accordingly, unless of course they forfeit that dignity through egregious displays of anti-social behavior like excessive greed or violence.

The idea that schooling is of vital importance in shaping the opinions of the young, and should be understood as much more than mere preparation for a career inspired by money making. It should also involve some humanistic aspects with an emphasis on inculcating certain character traits that, once again, benefit both the community and the individual. To shun consumerism and be civic-minded is a good thing which can alleviate the alienation inherent in a capitalist system. Again this does not IMO necessarily mean that a particular religious worldview must dictate and dominate others. I would also include an appreciation for the classics of the Western tradition here, in conjunction with a thoughtful and respectful engagement with other non-Western cultures, as long as this respect was reciprocated. I'm not sure that ISIS deserves any respect.

The view that we are stewards of the planet rather than masters who can recklessly appropriate it in order to satisfy our desires. Things will be seen as more than mere resources to be exploited at will. This world can be disclosed in myriad ways and the current narratives are becoming a threat to the psychological health of individuals, not to mention physical health and well-being. Seeking out a deep connection with our natural surroundings in all of its power and beauty is another important element in the process of overcoming our estrangement and malaise.

The individual is sacred. The community is sacred. The environment is sacred. Life has become cheap and meaningless. Basically what I've intuited in my brand of 'conservatism' is a fusion between the 'spiritual' and the material. Traditional (at least Western) religions seem to separate these aspects into distinct realities, whereas the more secularly-inclined seem to reject the notion of a spiritual aspect to life altogether. Obviously many of these views can be found in some form or another amongst the Romantics who reacted against what they felt were the excesses of Enlightenment rationalism. I think they were correct on many points, but I also appreciate much that came out of the Enlightenment (e.g. emphasis on social justice, the elimination of hierarchies based upon inherited title or wealth, challenge to narrow and dogmatic and hypocritical religiosity).

Anyhow these are the broad outlines that I understand to underlie my social conservatism. This view is clearly not exclusive to any particular race or ethnicity and could cut across party lines. It is not at all nationalistic either. In fact, I think a rejection of politics in favor of a grassroots movement spearheaded by artists and intellectuals is the more viable option over the next, say, 30-40 years if we can make it that long. Once people start to freely reject the idea that their personal worth should be assessed by their bank account, or that a life well-lived is one spent in a dreary job that allows them to buy stuff they don't need, etc. things may begin falling into place. The collective realization that our time on this planet would be better spent working 25-30 hours a week doing something challenging and enjoyable - I see the two as related - as long as it can cover our (now modest) expenses. The realization that entering a committed relationship and having children is much more rewarding than buying that extra house or car or taking that extra vacation. These and other sorts of things could slowly percolate through society and ultimately lead to some sort of 'spiritual' revolution which would, in turn, give rise to political and economic changes. I take the bottom up rather than top down approach.

Craziness? Hopeless romanticism? Conservative? Progressive? Both? Neither? I feel that many people know some of the things outlined above to be true - although I'm sure there are many who also disagree, especially here - but we've grown so cynical about life and this collective insanity has been normalized to such an incredible extent that no other possibilities seem realistic. To change the world we first need to understand and perceive it differently (pace Marx). This, I would contend, is precisely where a genuine social conservatism can gather strength and lead to a new dispensation of history. The details are murky, but I do believe that's the general mindset that will precipitate real change if it does eventually come.