Morgan Atlas

“It is with infinite caution that any man ought to venture upon pulling down an edifice which has answered in any tolerable degree for ages the common purposes of society, or on building it up again, without having models and patterns of approved utility before his eyes.” Edmund Burke

In an era of sweeping change and unrelenting disruption, conservatism offers a deliberate counterbalance. It is not an aversion to progress, but a framework that prizes continuity, moral clarity, and prudence. At its core, conservatism asks not only “What can we build?” but also “What must we preserve?”

The purpose of this article is to shape the foundations of reason for future discussion on matters that affect our culture, society, geo-political situation, past, present, and future. Irrespective how long any reader has lived on this earth, it is nothing more than a speck of time in the chronology of the world. From Genesis to now, we view the world, and its events based upon what we have seen, experienced and encountered. Indeed, the new catchcry is termed ‘lived experience’.

For instance, from my birth to now, the United States has been the preeminent superpower of the world, indeed, from 1991 it has had complete hegemony. This was the case of my parents, with the United States emerging as such a power in the 1890s, but candidly, since World War Two has it exerted such influence. Of course, the Soviet Union was in complete competition with the United States from 1945 onwards. Nevertheless, it has been a mere dot on the chronological graph of history. Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Mongols, Egyptians many hundreds or thousands of years ago would have also known nothing but the empire they lived and breathed in.

But things changed. Rome fell, not overnight, not by one battle, but by cultural, societal, and geo-political divide. The erosion of the traditional discipline and conservatism that upheld their strength for so long descended into chaos, decadence, and a breakdown of the rule of law. There may well have been a Latin word for ‘woke’ back then as we know it to be now.

My point is, things change, and over time, and via a decay in a standard of cultural norms. Now, of course to get where we are today from back then, progress is indeed needed, but progress needs to occur based on a solid bedrock of core values, not building castles on pillars of salt and sand.

Conservatism is a political and philosophical orientation rooted in four central ideas:

· Respect for Tradition – Upholding time-tested institutions and cultural customs that bind societies across generations.

· Prudence and Gradual Change – Embracing reform in measured steps, guided by historical experience rather than revolutionary zeal.

· Moral Order – Recognizing a shared ethical foundation—often informed by religious or philosophical teachings—that underpins social cohesion.

· Limited Government and Individual Responsibility – Entrusting communities and families with primary authority, while keeping central power focused on core functions like national defence and the rule of law.

Conservatism is more than a political label—it is a mindset that marries ethical intelligence with real-world experience. It teaches us to respect the wisdom embedded in tradition, to deploy change deliberately, and to safeguard the institutions that protect liberty. As we navigate our personal and professional spheres, consider how conservative principles can guide strategic decisions, anchor ethical frameworks, and turn the tide of noise into signal.

Conservatism today is not simply the defence of the status quo. It is a dynamic philosophy that draws on accumulated wisdom to guide societies through rapid change. By balancing respect for tradition with pragmatic adaptation, modern conservatism offers a framework for stability, community, and prudent reform.

Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. Its central tenets—such as respect for established norms, gradual

reform, and the importance of community—can vary by context but share a common emphasis on continuity over radical upheaval.

It is my belief that the central tenants of conservatism are underpinned by the notion of ethical intelligence.

What Is Ethical Intelligence?

Ethical intelligence is the personal code that dictates how we work and the ability to make ethical decisions when faced with moral challenges. It combines awareness of right and wrong with the courage to act on those convictions, guiding behaviour even when no one is watching.

Ethical intelligence refers to the capacity to recognise ethical dilemmas, reason through competing values, and choose actions aligned with moral principles. It is more than knowing what is right; it is having the resolve to do what is right, rooted in integrity and accountability.

This modern concept may seem vaguely familiar, you may well have read about it elsewhere, maybe you have heard of the Judeo-Christian moral code. Maybe it is what is embedded into the Hippocratic Code, or Oath, applied to the ethical principles of physicians traditionally attributed to the Greek doctor Hippocrates, though unlikely to have been written by Hippocrates himself.

Core Principles

Ethical intelligence in practice often rests on five foundational principles that span cultures and professions:

· Do no harm

· Make things better

· Respect others

· Be fair

· Care

In today’s digital age, ethical intelligence extends to technology and artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring algorithms are designed and deployed responsibly. In leadership, it shapes hiring, performance reviews, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. In everyday life, it guides how we interact with colleagues, clients, and communities. Ethical principles are embedded in government legislation, company websites, in most places in a functioning society, whether abided in or not.

Digital Age Challenges

The information revolution tests conservative instincts:

· Social media and Identity: Rapid cultural debates unfold online, demanding that conservatives articulate durable moral frameworks amid viral outrage. Long form podcasts have proven to be a formidable tool in the fight for traditional conservative values, it is difficult to amount an argument against long form logic, reasoning and debate respectfully conducted.

· Algorithmic Governance: Data-driven policy tools challenge notions of local autonomy and self-governance.

· Echo Chambers versus. Community: While digital platforms can fragment discourse, they also enable new forms of civic engagement and grassroots organizing. The demise of MSM is a testament to this.

Conservatism’s emphasis on prudence and localism offers a corrective to technocratic overreach and digital dislocation.

Ethical intelligence transforms moral awareness into purposeful action. Whether you are shaping policy, leading a team, or innovating modern technologies, pausing to ask, “Is this the right thing to do?” will ground your decisions in integrity.

By marrying ethical intelligence with strategic adaptation, conservatism can guide societies through the upheavals of our age—preserving what endures while thoughtfully reforming what must evolve.

The Global Resurgence of Conservatism

In the 21st century, conservatism has re-emerged as a potent force across continents. Amid economic uncertainty, rapid globalisation, and cultural flux, it resonates by:

· Reasserting national identity and cultural heritage.

· Championing local institutions—families, faith groups, civic associations—as bulwarks against social atomization.

· Questioning the uncritical embrace of global markets and supranational governance.

Conservatism’s revival offers many a sense of stability and belonging in an uncertain world. There is little doubt that this is true when viewed through the prism of recent world history and divisive societal upheaval. It is evident in Eastern Europe, the United States, the Asian and African continents as well as South America.

This upheaval in the cultural and societal surrender of the once great western civilisations of Western Europe, the United Kingdom, and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada have quickly manifested the destructive nature of adopting Marxist and socialist type ideologies.

Conservatism’s Future in a Rapidly Changing World

Not all is lost. Indeed, not only has there been green shoots for conservatism around the world, but it has come from the very places the ‘left’ have seen as ‘marginalised’. Places like Africa, the rise, uptake and re-engagement of traditional Catholicism and Orthodoxy in China, Japan, Vietnam, and the bloc of Eastern European nations holding the line and not adopting European Union imposed ideologies, such as Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, and Romania to name a few.

There is much to learn from many of these nations. This greater lack of clarity in the world has without doubt led to a bold new evangelism of traditional, conservative values. I will talk later about these areas in future articles, particularly the effects on young men and women and their gravitation to finding meaning in their life and purpose.

This has seen the explosion of online podcasts, and more specifically, long form podcasts with ‘influencers’ filling in the gap of mentors for a lost generation. Traditional media, or ‘mainstream media’ (MSM) is dying, irrelevant and no longer, if ever, seen as credible or fit for purpose.

To remain relevant, modern conservatism must:

1. Reinvigorate Civic Institutions – Invest in schools, local media, and faith-based initiatives that foster shared values.

2. Embrace Responsible Innovation – Champion technology that strengthens communities without undermining human agency.

3. Articulate an Inclusive Identity – Affirm national narratives that unite diverse citizens around common principles.

4. Practice Measured Reform – Pilot policy changes at local levels before scaling, respecting the wisdom embedded in long-standing practices.

It is important to set the notions and foundations of conservatism for future discussion. Without wishing to read like a textbook, I believe it is important to understand this solid base that has been the bedrock for millennia, acknowledging that whilst imperfect, it stands the greater test of time than other

ideologies, most often bastardised throughout history, that have led to widespread misery, destruction and the regression of human flourishing. Whilst one can punch holes in any argument and take a contrarian view, it is this ability of emotional intelligence within the DNA of conservatism that makes it more relevant now than ever before.

What role do you see conservatism playing in today’s debates—whether about technology, culture, or governance? Share your perspective and let us deepen this conversation.