A few years ago I listened to a series of lectures called The Conservative Tradition, by Patrick N. Allitt. Professor of American History at Emory Universit. Just as the term "liberal" has changed over the past 150 years, so has what it means to be conservative. Some people see conservatives as an anchor that holds us back as a society. Others see conservative values as a necessary foundation upon which we can build a better future.
Here are some of the key philosophers whose ideas have significantly influenced modern conservative thought in America, providing intellectual foundations for its principles like tradition, limited government, individual liberty, and moral order.
Edmund Burke (1729–1797) Burke has been called the "father of modern conservatism." In his work Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790) he emphasized tradition, social cohesion, and gradual change. He criticized radical upheavals like the French Revolution, advocating for preserving established institutions and customs. He was skeptical of militant reform and believed in organic societal development. This is, of course, at odds with the impatience of zealots who have felt stifled by adherence to the status quo. Modern conservatives draw on Burke’s defense of inherited values and institutions, arguing that civilization is fragile, which is why change should go slowly. Strong societies are built on by the accumulated wisdom of our forbears.
John Locke (1632–1704)
In Two Treatises of Government (1689), Locke articulated principles of individual liberty, property rights, and limited government based on consent. His natural rights philosophy emphasizes life, liberty, and property. His ideas were foundational to classical liberalism, which informs modern conservative economic thought, especially among libertarian-leaning conservatives who prioritize free markets and limited state intervention.
Russell Kirk (1918–1994)
In The Conservative Mind (1953), Kirk synthesized conservative thought, tracing its roots from Burke to 20th-century thinkers. He outlined principles like belief in a moral order, respect for tradition, and suspicion of centralized power. Ronald Reagan synthesized that last point with his whimsical 1986 statement, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Kirk’s work revived intellectual conservatism in the U.S., influencing the post-World War II conservative movement, including figures like William F. Buckley Jr. His emphasis on cultural continuity shapes traditionalist conservatism.
Friedrich Hayek (1899–1992) In The Road to Serfdom (1944) and other works, Hayek warned against collectivism and centralized planning, arguing they erode individual freedom and open the door to tyranny. He championed spontaneous order, free markets, and limited government. Hayek’s ideas are central to economic conservatism and libertarian strands within the movement, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., influencing figures like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.
Leo Strauss (1899–1973)
Strauss emphasized the importance of classical philosophy, natural right, and moral absolutes against modern relativism. His critiques of liberalism and historicism appear in works like Natural Right and History (1953). Strauss influenced neoconservatism, particularly its focus on moral clarity, strong national defense, and skepticism of progressive ideologies. His students, like Allan Bloom, shaped conservative intellectual circles.
Michael Oakeshott (1901–1990)
In essays like “On Being Conservative” (1956), Oakeshott advocated for a disposition to preserve what is valuable while adapting cautiously. He critiqued rationalist planning, favoring practical knowledge and tradition. His skeptical, non-ideological conservatism appeals to those wary of both progressive overreach and rigid dogmatism, influencing traditionalist and pragmatic conservatives.
William F. Buckley Jr. (1925–2008)
While not a philosopher in the traditional sense, Buckley’s God and Man at Yale (1951) and his founding of National Review crystallized modern American conservatism, blending traditionalism, anti-communism, and free-market principles. Buckley synthesized disparate conservative strands (traditionalist, libertarian, and anti-communist), shaping the modern conservative movement and its intellectual coherence.
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Conservatives are routinely derided as shallow, close-minded or ignorant. They are often referred to in derogatory terms like "right-wing extremists" or idiots or devoid of political literacy. Such labels enable critics to avoid having to grapple with the ideas upon which conservatism is founded.
If you're opposed to conservative political thought, this may useful information to help you better understand your enemy. If you're a conservative, this may be helpful to help you understand your roots.
