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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This little gem of a book adequately describes the tension inherent in the conservative and libertarian camps that were once a cohesive movement. That glue that holds (With less efficacy, it seems) these two divergent ideologies together is what Frank S. Meyer called "fusionism." Meyer plays a central role throughout the book because his advocacy of conservative and libertarian union eventually did translate into electoral success.
That success bore with it a willingness by both sides to compromise some of their principles. The essays comprising this book focus on those differences in a manner that seeks to challenge the preconceived notions of the reader, while emphasizing in some why the debate betwixt the two need not tear the fusion apart.
Although this is an excellent primer for anyone interested in the history of the last 60 years of conservative intellectual debate, it is a bit dated. For more discussion of the friction that, to me, is growing considerably more tense these days, I would suggest Ryan Sager's "Elephant in the Room."
That success bore with it a willingness by both sides to compromise some of their principles. The essays comprising this book focus on those differences in a manner that seeks to challenge the preconceived notions of the reader, while emphasizing in some why the debate betwixt the two need not tear the fusion apart.
Although this is an excellent primer for anyone interested in the history of the last 60 years of conservative intellectual debate, it is a bit dated. For more discussion of the friction that, to me, is growing considerably more tense these days, I would suggest Ryan Sager's "Elephant in the Room."
Format:Hardcover
This 1984 publication is a collections of essays by some "giants" of these two sides (e.g., Robert Nisbet; John Hospers; Murray Rothbard; Russell Kirk; M. Stanton Evans; Paul Kurtz, etc.) Each one contributes an essay.
Editor George Carey notes, "In contrast to the libertarian position, most conservatives... emphasize the need for authority and order for the achievement and perpetuation of the good and just society." He adds, "Conservatives, concerned as they are with virtue, justice, and the good society, can hardly be expected to subscribe to the degree of individual liberty advocated by libertarians." (Pg. 4)
Another essay notes that of the millions of FBI index crimes committed annually, 98.3% go unpunished. "That statistic alone is sufficient to demonstrate the foolhardiness of the libertarian argument... the radical libertarians... are Hobbesians without Leviathan." (Pg. 30)
Hospers admits, "There are, however, numerous gray areas ... which have not to my mind been adequately worked out by libertarians. Becoming intoxicated at home is all right, driving while intoxicated is not... I should think that in all consistency libertarians would distinguish among drugs in the same way: the use of heroin makes one passive and not a danger to anyone else... but the use of PCP can turn one into a madman... But I have not heard libertarians make a case against the use of the latter drug." (Pg. 60)
Russell Kirk argues that "It is consummate folly to tolerate every variety of opinion, on every topic, out of devotion to an abstract 'liberty'; for opinion soon finds expression in action, and the fanatics whom we tolerated will not tolerate us when they have power." (Pg. 116)
This is still a fascinating collection; my only complaint is that it would have been better if the essayists could have commented upon each others' papers.
Editor George Carey notes, "In contrast to the libertarian position, most conservatives... emphasize the need for authority and order for the achievement and perpetuation of the good and just society." He adds, "Conservatives, concerned as they are with virtue, justice, and the good society, can hardly be expected to subscribe to the degree of individual liberty advocated by libertarians." (Pg. 4)
Another essay notes that of the millions of FBI index crimes committed annually, 98.3% go unpunished. "That statistic alone is sufficient to demonstrate the foolhardiness of the libertarian argument... the radical libertarians... are Hobbesians without Leviathan." (Pg. 30)
Hospers admits, "There are, however, numerous gray areas ... which have not to my mind been adequately worked out by libertarians. Becoming intoxicated at home is all right, driving while intoxicated is not... I should think that in all consistency libertarians would distinguish among drugs in the same way: the use of heroin makes one passive and not a danger to anyone else... but the use of PCP can turn one into a madman... But I have not heard libertarians make a case against the use of the latter drug." (Pg. 60)
Russell Kirk argues that "It is consummate folly to tolerate every variety of opinion, on every topic, out of devotion to an abstract 'liberty'; for opinion soon finds expression in action, and the fanatics whom we tolerated will not tolerate us when they have power." (Pg. 116)
This is still a fascinating collection; my only complaint is that it would have been better if the essayists could have commented upon each others' papers.
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