Clarence Carson wrote that the key principles of "The American Tradition" are,

"...constitutionalism, government by law, representative government, federalism, individualism, equality, voluntarism, free trade, private property, natural rights, internationalism, moral order in the universe, thrift, industry and competition."

Carson argues that America has progressed through three great traditions:

 

1) the corporate and authoritarian tradition of the British Colonies under the "divine right of kings" viewpoint,

 

2) the American tradition of freedom which brought our independence, founding, constitution and growth of freedom, and

 

3) a collectivist tradition which wants to make America like the European democracies.

Only the second great tradition promises a future of freedom and prosperity.