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Line 21: − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − Barry Goldwater is generally regarded as the father of the modern conservative movement. A United States Senator from Arizona, Goldwater's insistence upon conservative principles helped redefine the Republican Party, transforming it into the party of conservatism and conservatives over the course of the 1950's and 1960's. Goldwater received the Republican presidential nomination in 1964; in his acceptance speech, he gave voice to a sentiment which has resonated with conservatives ever since. "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” <ref>http://usconservatives.about.com/od/thinkersanddoers/a/Goldwater.htm</ref> + +
Conservative Movement (view source)
Revision as of 01:21, February 25, 2009
, 01:21, February 25, 2009Expanded article; added Kirk and Buckley.
==Genesis of a Movement: Barry Goldwater==
==Taking Shape: Kirk and Buckley==
While it is difficult to point to a single moment in time as the "birth" of modern conservatism, certain key events have been critical. One of these was the publication of Russell Kirk's ''The Conservative Mind'' in 1953. Kirk established six critical "canons," which would become cornerstones of American conservatism:
*Society is not only governed by individual whim and conscience, but also by divine providence and intent.
*Tradition leads to variety, whereas radicalism leads to stagnation and stifling uniformity of thought.
*Civilization is predicated on order.
*Property is inextricably tied to liberty, and vice versa.
*Moderation and control are crucial to civilization.
*The natural progression of society is one of slow, gradual change, informed by tradition and custom. Rapid change--particularly rapid change for the sake of change--is dangerous and corrosive to society. <ref>http://www.heritage.org/Research/PoliticalPhilosophy/HL811.cfm</ref>
These ideas served as a framework, giving form and direction to American conservative philosophy.
In 1955, Kirk helped William F. Buckley to found ''National Review.'' If ''The Conservative Mind'' gave American conservatism form and direction, ''National Review'' gave it voice, quickly becoming a central vehicle for articulating and promoting conservative philosophy. Nor was Buckley content to indulge in the passive political navel-gazing so favored by the intelligentsia of the 1950's; ''National Review'' sought to galvanize conservatives, to awaken them to the reality that they were living in "a Liberal world" <ref>http://www.heritage.org/Research/PoliticalPhilosophy/HL811.cfm</ref>--a world which, Buckley argued passionately and eloquently, must be reclaimed by conservatives for the good of America and civilization as a whole.
==Genesis of a Movement: the Goldwater Years==
Barry Goldwater is generally regarded as the father of the modern conservative movement. A United States Senator from Arizona, Goldwater's insistence upon conservative principles helped redefine the Republican Party, transforming it into the party of conservatism and conservatives over the course of the 1950's and 1960's. Goldwater received the Republican presidential nomination in 1964; in his acceptance speech, he gave voice to a sentiment which has resonated with conservatives ever since. "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” <ref>http://usconservatives.about.com/od/thinkersanddoers/a/Goldwater.htm</ref>
==References==
==References==