Publication Date

2004

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Other Social and Behavioral Sciences | Political Science | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Abstract

The key political insight of the forgotten conservative tradition is the idea of imposing limits on governmental power, in the interests of protecting freedom. Theses: 1) the limited government, free-market emphasis of conservatism is an expression of conservative values; 2) the traditionalist and libertarian strands in conservative thought are congruent, 3) at issue is the very nature of American society, institutions, and freedom. The Liberal History Lesson (a variation on the Whig Interpretation of History) alleges that religion and liberty have always been in conflict. On the contrary: Conservative doctrine on the relationship between religious value, tradition, and ideas of Freedom is essential to free institutions Conversely, secular liberal notions must in the end be lethal to our freedoms. It is impossible to understand the American revolution or our constitutional founding without knowledge of the original settlers and their faith, the English common law experience, or their medieval background.

Download

Share

COinS