How to Defend Conservative Positions

Conservatives often find themselves surrounded by argumentative liberals, and are in need of a good strategy for explaining their views. It's not hard to win the debate once you have your arguments organized in the right way. If you are not prepared, the only person you can blame is yourself.

Instructions

1. Read and reread the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. You can use evidence from America's founding documents to strengthen many conservative points. Also get to know the Federalist Papers and conservative movement classics. If someone smarter than you has already made an argument, why not borrow it. They may be able to articulate your opinions in a clearer way.

2. Ask and understand. The better you know your opponent's stance, the better you can make the right arguments to counter his position.

3. Clarify the topic of debate. Discuss a detailed policy measure, not a general issue or the abstract reform of the day. If you let your opponent argue an issue that is vague or undefined you are let them focus on all of the positive aspects of their idea without giving yourself the chance to criticize negative implications.

4. Inquire about the implementation of the proposal. The inability to deliver is often the weak point of liberal policy measures. In theory it sounds great, but how do you plan on doing that? Demonstrate how the benefits of the proposal, even if it is successful, are out of proportion with the costs of implementing it.

5. Walk through the short- and long-range impact of the policy under contention. Despite their good intentions, liberal policies often have counterproductive results. Give specific examples, both hypothetical and historical, to make this point.

6. Establish the basis for your position whether it is philosophical, constitutional or moral. Liberals often parody conservative positions, but that is because they don't understand the reason behind them.

7. Base your points on evidence. Use historical, quantitative, experiential and anecdotal details to support your argument.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that you are arguing about what is best for the country.

• Avoid loaded terms.

• Never sink to pettiness and triviality.

• Don't engage in debates where your opponent is taking a side to be argumentative. She can't be convinced to change her mind because she has no reasons for holding her position.

• Don't name drop. Make sure you fully understand the arguments of prominent figures before using them.

Resources

• Go here to buy conservative books.