So, for example, lower taxes, free markets, less regulation are all techniques not goals. One of the reasons to do this is that it is easier to whip up resentment when you focus on such topics. People can always be persuaded that taxes are too high and once they are outraged they become easier to turn into blind followers of your cause.
The whole thing is here: Free Market Philosophy as Process Policies not Politics ---- Daily Landscape
I got some fruitful thoughts on conservative metaphysics while reading Part B here. Quite contrarily, conservatives seem to presume deeply primary (final) causes, as opposed to the interest in mechanical (efficient) causes of post-Enlightenment rationalism. It is rather the liberals that are fascinated by "instrumentalist" approach of living. The liberals usually get optimistic of perceived instrumental powers indeed for achieving goals or solving problems; but they may get so enthusiastic about the mechanisms that they would not care anymore what goals are they achieving (or can be achieved). Once zealousness sets in, there is no distinction between means and goals.
I get an impression that conservatives like to copy much of the success of rational liberalism. They adopt new methods (especially if that suits the hypocrites you refer to), but their metaphysics is still more ancient than rational. What they eventually develop is faith in the methods they adopt. They just (rather genuinely) believe that their methods are for "primary" good of the world. And faith is not easily shaken by "a few" counter-indications.
