Campus Life welcomed “The Dish” blogger, journalist and author Andrew Sullivan as a guest lecturer on the night of Nov. 12. Sullivan’s lecture revolved around the ideals and philosophy of conservatism.
He spoke about the American government, economy, religion and gay marriage from a conservative viewpoint.
Sullivan explained that by definition, conservatives adhere to the idea that the government should do what it is supposed to do: regulate by setting and enforcing rules. He implored “less power and more freedom.”
“But just enough power to protect and ensure freedom,” he added.
According to Sullivan, it is time to return to earlier ideas of conservatism. He said today’s conservatives are bought and sold by major companies.
“That is not conservatism,” Sullivan said. “That is a form of corruption.”
He feels the best way to revive conservatism is to defeat the current Republican Party.
“They will only learn from electoral defeat,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan, as one of the most influential voices of the gay rights movement, had many things to say about the issue of gay marriage. Notably, Sullivan feels the allowance of gay marriage is a conservative idea.
Sullivan told his audience a conservative would want to use existing institutions – marriage – to accommodate this new and growing sect of American society rather than attempt to create an entirely new institution like civil unions.
“The less you meddle, the better the result,” Sullivan said.
Senior and political science major Cyril Hajdu said he was intrigued by Sullivan’s brand of conservative perspective.
“It was interesting to hear his conservative point of view on gay marriage,” Hajdu said.
Junior and Spanish education major Eric Penrose was also struck by what Sullivan had to say. He agreed with Sullivan’s notion of divorcing the terms liberal and conservative from Democratic and Republican.
“I respect him for speaking about what others often avoid,” Penrose said.
Sullivan feels it is important for college students to fully and better understand conservatism.
“They often get the wrong impression [about conservatism] from popular culture,” Sullivan said. “If they knew better, it might change their mind.”
