10 Contrasts Between a Conservative and Progressive Nation 

Hypothetically, if every conservative moved to a red state and every progressive moved to a blue state, and we had two nations instead of one, which nation would prosper the most? Would it be the conservative states or the progressive states of America?

The last thing I want is two separate nations; however, I desire to show which policies, in general, would cause a nation to prosper.

The seven core principles of conservatism include individual freedom, limited government, the Rule of Law, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets, and human dignity.

Progressives tend to focus on legally enforcing equality among all people irrespective of merit and individual effort hence engineering predetermined results.

1. A conservative nation would have a low (flat) tax. Progressive states would have a high progressive tax rate.

Lowering taxes increases disposable income, allowing the consumer to spend additional sums, thereby increasing GNP. In which of the two nations do you think corporations and small businesses would want to move: The one with a high corporate tax or the one with low tax extraction? In which of the two nations would small businesses and individuals flourish? The one that allowed those who had more money to use after earnings or those who had less money?

2. A conservative nation would reward individuals based on merit and creativity. A progressive nation would entitle people based on ethnicity and minority status.

Dr. King’s dream of a nation not judging people based on their skin color but on their character’s content would be the conservative mantra. A country based upon an equal opportunity that rewards people based on diligence, individual effort, and creativity would inspire all people to greatness. Conversely, a nation that financially rewards people based upon their group classification will create a culture of entitlement instead of hard work and sacrifice. Which of these two countries do you think would catalyze human flourishing?

3. A conservative nation would espouse free-market capitalism. Progressives would espouse socialism.

Capitalism rewards individuals and businesses that produce wealth through investment and free trade within the market. Conversely, socialism strips away that wealth and redistributes it throughout the economy to people irrespective of their effort, sacrifice, education, or creativity. Capitalism rewards merit; socialism rewards mediocrity. Which of these two nations would prosper?

4. A conservative nation would honor the traditional view of family. Progressives would deconstruct the nuclear family.

A conservative nation would encourage parents to be committed together in marriage and foster healthy environments in providing for their children. A progressive state would deconstruct the nuclear family and encourage alternate forms of the family, which often leaves children without a committed two-parent home or an active father at home.

Statistically, as of March 2017, 70% of runaways, 70% of juvenile delinquents, and 70% of child murderers come from single-mother homes. 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. Of Health/Census) – 5 times the average. 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average.

Which of these two nations would cause families to flourish? 

5. A conservative nation would be tough on crime. Progressive states would defund the police.

“According to a YouGov/The Economist poll, the share of Americans who say crime is the most important issue facing America has increased since (progressive) Joe Biden became president.”

Which state would have a better quality of life in urban centers, the ones tough on crime or the ones weak on punishing criminals?

6. A conservative nation would empower parents in education. Progressives would bypass parents in education. 

“Parental involvement with their children’s education positively enhances their academic performance, their child’s attitude toward school, classroom conduct, self-esteem, absenteeism, and motivation.”

Conversely, many progressives do not want the parents involved at all in public education, especially when teaching controversial subjects dealing with human sexuality and gender identity. In which of the two states would children do better in education?

7. A conservative nation would encourage small business expansion. Progressive states would over-regulate business.

Conservatives would encourage businesses without onerous regulations. A progressive nation would likely over-regulate business ventures. According to some studies, government regulations disproportionately impact small businesses. Federal regulations cost the American economy as much as $1.9 trillion yearly in direct costs, lost productivity, and higher prices. In which of these two nations would businesses flourish?

8. A conservative nation would celebrate freedom of religion. Progressive states would celebrate freedom of worship.

A conservative nation believes it is impossible to separate faith, morality, and public policy. They believe in the separation of church and state but not in the separation of God and state. On the other hand, progressives would attempt to limit faith to the practice of worship within a building on a Sunday or another designated time. Which of these two nations would faith have the greatest ability to flourish and bless their communities? 

9. A conservative nation would protect its geographic borders. Progressive states would have open borders.

Most conservatives believe a nation is not a nation if it doesn’t have borders. They believe in a fair and just immigration policy that includes a process for legal entry that protects the nation’s interests.

Many also believe that undocumented immigrants that have lived and worked in the country for decades and have no felonies should be given a path to legal citizenship. Conversely, politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, promote open borders, which will allow illegal immigrants to enter the country irrespective of their criminal background or ability to assimilate into the nation economically. 

Which of the two nations would promote national flourishing through immigration?

10. A conservative nation would be pro-life. Progressive states would be pro-choice.

People in a pro-life nation will tend to be less promiscuous and generally consider the life of a human baby even if it includes giving a baby up for adoption. In a progressive nation, people will view sex as only a matter of pleasure and separate it from procreation. This will likely result in more sexual promiscuity, with much more children born out of wedlock or into single-parent homes. Which of the two nations will human life be more valued with children having a chance to flourish?