An increasingly prominent opinion on the right is that conservatism’s liaison with libertarianism is dead. And while not everyone is ready to bid riddance to the old fusionism, many of the right’s rising stars are fully willing to reassess conservatism’s previous commitments to small government and personal freedom. The old notions, these figures argue, ignored the truth that government has a cultural duties, and the consequences of that failure are seen in the dilapidated state of American culture. If the old consensus on the use of government power was wrong, then the way conservatives can win the culture war is by beginning to wield that power with an eye towards conservative ends.
Thank you for quoting Kirk. Indeed, Libertarians are late to game in many ways. They missed the first half and thus have never seen what the enemy looks like unsoiled.
This is true. Unfortunately, I acquired this knowledge through a prolonged libertarian period. Kirk was one of the few influences that pulled me out of it.
“set himself against all forms of mediation, compromise and debate, and against the legal and moral norms that give a voice to the dissenter and sovereignty to the ordinary person.” Such a man “will set about destroying the enemy, whom he will conceive in collective terms…”
It's from his book Fools, Frauds, and Firebrands. I believe it was published in the early 2010s, and it was an updating of a book that he wrote in the 80s (which got him into a lot of trouble among academics in the UK).
Ben, my friend, I am sorry that I am just getting around to reading this! It was excellent! Both the Kirk and Nisbet quotations were excellent (in such a way that I am kicking myself for not reading enough of these two - plus Burke and Scruton). I am also very grateful for your thoughtful, well-articulated, and clear-eyed conservative thoughts on our present discontents!
And I will have to forgive you for your long dalliance with the libertarians: it may just have given you a greater understanding of the excesses of both left and far right.
Keep these posts coming! And eventually you will need to send your best essays/ideas off to be published. I would gladly buy that book!
Thank you for quoting Kirk. Indeed, Libertarians are late to game in many ways. They missed the first half and thus have never seen what the enemy looks like unsoiled.
This is true. Unfortunately, I acquired this knowledge through a prolonged libertarian period. Kirk was one of the few influences that pulled me out of it.
Ben, from what Scruton book did you get this?
“set himself against all forms of mediation, compromise and debate, and against the legal and moral norms that give a voice to the dissenter and sovereignty to the ordinary person.” Such a man “will set about destroying the enemy, whom he will conceive in collective terms…”
It's from his book Fools, Frauds, and Firebrands. I believe it was published in the early 2010s, and it was an updating of a book that he wrote in the 80s (which got him into a lot of trouble among academics in the UK).
Ben, my friend, I am sorry that I am just getting around to reading this! It was excellent! Both the Kirk and Nisbet quotations were excellent (in such a way that I am kicking myself for not reading enough of these two - plus Burke and Scruton). I am also very grateful for your thoughtful, well-articulated, and clear-eyed conservative thoughts on our present discontents!
And I will have to forgive you for your long dalliance with the libertarians: it may just have given you a greater understanding of the excesses of both left and far right.
Keep these posts coming! And eventually you will need to send your best essays/ideas off to be published. I would gladly buy that book!
You are too kind...if I ever need a PR man, I know who to call!