The Vanishing Tradition: Perspectives on American Conservatism
Paul Gottfried
Abstract
This anthology provides a timely critical overview of the American conservative movement. The chapters cover subjects that have not previously been discussed. In particular, the book hits hard at the blatant cult of celebrity and intolerance of dissent that has come to characterize the conservative movement in this country. As the book shows, the conservative movement has not often retrieved its wounded, instead dispatching them in order to please its friendly opposition and to prove its “moderateness.” The movement has also been open to the influence of demanding sponsors who have pushed it i ... More
This anthology provides a timely critical overview of the American conservative movement. The chapters cover subjects that have not previously been discussed. In particular, the book hits hard at the blatant cult of celebrity and intolerance of dissent that has come to characterize the conservative movement in this country. As the book shows, the conservative movement has not often retrieved its wounded, instead dispatching them in order to please its friendly opposition and to prove its “moderateness.” The movement has also been open to the influence of demanding sponsors who have pushed it in sometimes bizarre directions. Finally, the chapters highlight the movement's appeal to “permanent values” as a truly risible gesture, given how arduously its celebrities have worked to catch up with the Left on social issues. This critical examination of American conservatism opens debates and seeks controversy.
Keywords:
American conservative movement,
moderateness,
permanent values,
controversy,
American conservatism
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2020 |
Print ISBN-13: 9781501749858 |
| Published to Cornell Scholarship Online: January 2021 |
DOI:10.7591/cornell/9781501749858.001.0001 |
