The Meaning of Conservatism The Meaning of Conservatism

The Meaning of Conservatism

    • $16.99
    • $16.99

Publisher Description

This is a major contribution to political thought from conservatism’s greatest contemporary proponent. Originally published in Britain in 1980 and revised in 1984, this edition – the first ever in the United States – is a major rewriting of the work. Scruton’s idea of conservatism – what in America we tend to call “paleo-conservatism” – might well shock the sensibilities of those American conservatives” who view it as little more than the workings of the free market. Conservatism, says Scruton, is neither automatic hostility toward the state nor the desire to limit the state’s obligations toward the citizen.

Rather, conservatism regards the individual not as the premise but the conclusion of politics, a politics that is fundamentally opposed to the ethic of social justice, to equality of station, income, and achievement, or to the attempt to bring major institutions of society (such as schools and universities) under government control.

The conservative outlook, says Scruton, is neither outmoded nor irrational. On the contrary, it is the most reasonable of political alternatives. The evils of socialism, he maintains, lie precisely where its supporters find its strengths, and the conditions for the credibility of socialism have long since disappeared. Neither socialism nor liberalism can come to terms with the real complexity of human society, and both appear plausible only because they direct attention away from what is actual, toward what is merely ideal.

From earlier editions of The Meaning of Conservatism:

“The book provides exactly that swift kick on the intellectual bottom which every undergraduate student of political science needs, most of them more urgently than ever before.” – T. E. Utley, (London) Daily Telegraph

“If the text is full of surprises, the manner is no less striking than the matter. Scruton is a great stylist, and one is continually arrested by beautifully crafted phrases which beg for quotation. . . . [He] is a cultured and critical guide through the traditional landscape of conservatism; his book provokes thought and it is a pleasure to read.”

– Bram Gieben, Political Quarterly

“. . . remarkable work. . . . The highest praise which one can bestow on The Meaning of Conservatism is to say that it reminds one at every page of Thomas Hobbes, the greatest master of the English language ever to write a work of political theory.” – Jonathan Sumption, Sunday Telegraph

“. . . clearly too ghastly to be taken seriously.” – Andrew Belsey, Radical Philosophy

GENRE
Nonfiction
RELEASED
2020
April 30
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
220
Pages
PUBLISHER
St. Augustine's Press
SELLER
Chicago Distribution Center
SIZE
1.8
MB
On Liberty and Other Essays On Liberty and Other Essays
2017
Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature and Other Essays Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature and Other Essays
2010
An Answer to the Question: 'What is Enlightenment?' An Answer to the Question: 'What is Enlightenment?'
2013
Political Philosophy Political Philosophy
2013
The Social Contract The Social Contract
2017
Political Ideals Political Ideals
2016
Beauty Beauty
2011
Conservatism Conservatism
2018
An Intelligent Person's Guide to Philosophy An Intelligent Person's Guide to Philosophy
1998
Kant: A Very Short Introduction Kant: A Very Short Introduction
2001
The Soul of the World The Soul of the World
2014
Spinoza: A Very Short Introduction Spinoza: A Very Short Introduction
2002