Russell Kirk's Concise Guide to ConservatismThe modern conservative intellectual movement began in 1953 with Russell Kirk’s groundbreaking book The Conservative Mind. Four years later, he published a pithy, wry, philosophical summary of what conservatism really means. Originally titled The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Conservatism, this little book was essentially a popular version of The Conservative Mind. Now, a century after its author’s birth, this neglected gem has been recovered. It remains what Kirk intended it to be: an accessible introduction to conservative ideas, especially for the young. With a new title and an introduction by the eminent intellectual historian Wilfred M. McClay, Russell Kirk’s Concise Guide to Conservatism arrives with uncanny timing. The movement that Kirk defined in 1953 is today so contested and fragmented that no one seems able to say with confidence what conservatism means. This book, as fresh and prophetic as the day it was published sixty years ago, is a reminder that no one can match Russell Kirk in engaging people’s minds and imaginations—an indispensable task in reviving our civilization. |
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abolish abstract American conservative anarchy ancestors ancient born yesterday Burke called central century charity checks Christian civil social order collectivism collectivistic Communists conservatism conservative believes conservative endeavors conservative knows conservative thinks constitutions culture democracy desire disciplines doctrinaire domination duties economic Edmund Burke equality Eric Voegelin established evil exists Federalist Papers freedom French Revolution function George Orwell human nature human rights ideology individual human person inheritance institutions John Adams justice and order Kirk Kirk’s liberal liberty live mass means merely modern moral and political moral law motives to integrity nation nomic nowadays oligarchy Orestes Brownson Paul Elmer political authority positive law principles private conscience private property private rights progress prudent radical reform religion Republic responsibility Roman Republic Russell Kirk schools selfish sense simply soci socialists society Soviet theory things thinking conservative tion tive traditional true voluntary associations wealth wisdom women