Talk:American conservatism
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This is an interesting essay, but I disagree with its characterization of "American conservatism" as merely trying to restore traditions. A conservative is far more than that. Moreover, the emphasis on Edmund Burke is overstated, and Russell Kirk's attempt to place the root of modern conservatism in that British statesman has been properly criticized.--Andy Schlafly 23:50, 26 August 2014 (EDT)
- The article gives definitions collected from various sources. Here's another one from Britannica: "Conservatism, political doctrine that emphasizes the value of traditional institutions and practices." When you want to start the story is arbitrary. But starting with Burke seems to be conventional. Some people start in the 1950s with Buckley and National Review. You could also go back to ancient times and start with Aristotle and Cicero. Is there a source you recommend? PeterKa 04:20, 27 August 2014 (EDT)
- I notice that the article conservative also has an American history orientation, similar to what I have been writing here. PeterKa 06:27, 27 August 2014 (EDT)
- The conservative movement today is primarily a social movement. In 1964, space was created with the Republican Party for the movement by the book A Choice Not an Echo. The conservative movement then had a place to take root and grow, which it did with the successful STOP ERA movement in the 1970s. The conservative movement today is based on those social principles.--Andy Schlafly 22:11, 27 August 2014 (EDT)
- Isn't Kirk part of the conservative movement? The Conservative Mind was published in 1953. There is already a conservative movement article. As for this article, it could be combined with conservative to create a conservatism article. PeterKa 01:43, 29 August 2014 (EDT)
- The conservative movement today is primarily a social movement. In 1964, space was created with the Republican Party for the movement by the book A Choice Not an Echo. The conservative movement then had a place to take root and grow, which it did with the successful STOP ERA movement in the 1970s. The conservative movement today is based on those social principles.--Andy Schlafly 22:11, 27 August 2014 (EDT)
- Russell Kirk was a good man and a fine writer, but his somewhat academic vision of what the conservative movement should be is not really what it is.--Andy Schlafly 13:22, 31 August 2014 (EDT)
- Oh, I get it now. I certainly don't want take anything away from your mom, who made an extraordinary contribution to the conservative movement. It's odd to give the title of a book without mentioning the author. Maybe we can have picture of her as well. PeterKa 07:06, 1 September 2014 (EDT)
- Russell Kirk was a good man and a fine writer, but his somewhat academic vision of what the conservative movement should be is not really what it is.--Andy Schlafly 13:22, 31 August 2014 (EDT)
- I welcome different opinions. If you feel the conservative movement today is rooted in the conservative positions of the 1950s or decades or centuries earlier, please go ahead and make edits accordingly. Personally, I see the modern conservative movement as being primarily social in nature, with innovations like homeschooling and laws against abortion.--Andy Schlafly 15:05, 1 September 2014 (EDT)