Dilemma of Conservatism

Every Conservative should keep clear in his mind the distinction between a) what happened in history, and b) the composition of modern social and political institutions. Only with that distinction clearly in mind will he emerge as a “conserver” of institutions, a “defender” of what exists—or as a “reformer” of institutions, a “critic” of what exists.

For instance: In The American Cause (Regnery, $3.50) and The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Conservatism (Devin-Adair, $2.75), the eloquent Russell Kirk, to whom we are all so heavily indebted, writes as avowed “conserver” and “defender,” while, however, advocating principles that would conduce to a major reconstruction of our social and political structure. And the reason for this confusion is, quite simply, that he shifts focus in a way that blurs the distinction between the present and the past.

SP

About the Author

Stanley Parry

Featured Tags

Every Conservative should keep clear in his mind the distinction between a) what happened in history, and b) the composition of modern social and political institutions. Only with that distinction clearly in mind will he emerge as a “conserver” of institutions, a “defender” of what exists—or as a “reformer” of institutions, a “critic” of what exists.

For instance: In The American Cause (Regnery, $3.50) and The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Conservatism (Devin-Adair, $2.75), the eloquent Russell Kirk, to whom we are all so heavily indebted, writes as avowed “conserver” and “defender,” while, however, advocating principles that would conduce to a major reconstruction of our social and political structure. And the reason for this confusion is, quite simply, that he shifts focus in a way that blurs the distinction between the present and the past.