In the early 1980s, conservatism was on many minds and was influencing politics, social issues, and the academy. What were the historical and philosophical origins of modern conservatism? What did adherents as well as critics say about those origins? Joseph Hamburger, Paul Kress, Lewis Lispsitz, and Harvey Mansfield say that although the term “conservative” was not used until the nineteenth century in reaction to the reformist liberal movement, Edmund Burke (1729-97) is viewed as the first modern conservative. Burke is described as being interested in the way politics should be conducted, with emphasis on “prudence,” that is, considering and adjusting to circumstances. They admit that Burke had a “dismal” view of human nature and politics, which is contrasted with the more optimistic view of modern political liberals. The speakers contrast Samuel P. Huntington’s (1927-2008) view of conservatism as a “positional ideology” with Burke’s theory of prudence. Burke’s ideals are contrasted, too, with modern idealist, utopian political movements and revolutions abroad. The speakers conclude by beginning a discussion of the role of political theory in relation to Burke’s principle of prudence.
At the time of this interview, Hamburger was professor of political science at Yale University. Kress was professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lipsitz was professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mansfield, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1981-83), was professor of government at Harvard University.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
