Anyone observing the evolution of conservative thought over the past few years could not have escaped a growing trend. Politicians, intellectuals, and think-tankers are questioning traditional American conservatism’s commitment to limited government, individual natural rights, and economic freedom. They are talking up the virtues of the common good in ways that call into question their commitments to liberty and freedom.The philosophical questioning of the principles of the American founding is coming from two different factions within the Right. One involves the national conservatives. The other is from philosophers who wish to resurrect the moral organizing principles of natural law. Both reject the idea of “intrinsic” rights that is traditionally associated with the founding.
The fact that these critiques arise from the American Right is significant. American progressivism has long questioned the founding and tried to revise it to suit its purposes. Now it appears members of the Right are doing the same thing. Why? And what are the implications, not only for conservatism but for the American nation?
Respondents
- The promise & peril of the political common good, by Ryan T. Anderson. On the importance of liberty and rights in the name of the common good.
- The Original Strategy, by Charles R. Kesler. On the flawed arguments in emerging conservative movements.
- Yesterday’s man, yesterday’s conservatism, by Josh Hammer. On common-good originalism.
- The demanding & delicate task of conservatism, by Daniel J. Mahoney. On rethinking traditional conservatism.
- Common-sense conservatism, by Robert R. Reilly. On the particular and the universal in politics.
- Policies are not principles, by R.R. Reno. On the American culture of freedom.
- The fallacies of the common good: a response, by Kim R. Holmes. On respect for liberty and natural rights.
Related
- The Appropriation of Locke The New Criterion October 2021.