Paleoconservatism
Summary of Paleoconservatism
Paleoconservative thought in the US is most widely associated with the anti-communist and anti-globalization right wing movement, which emphasizes tradition, civil society and classical federalism, along with familial, religious, regional, national and Western identity.
The paleocon philosophy arose from conservative opposition to President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal expansion of government in the 1930s and 1940s. The movement’s core beliefs were formed largely on the conservative principles laid out by author and philosopher Russell Kirk. The movement was given its name by Elizabethtown College Humanities Professor Paul Gottfried in the late 20th Century.
Paleocons believe in Laissez-faire capitalism, limited government and a non-interventionist approach to foreign policy. Most paleoconservatives are strongly opposed to the current war in Iraq, especially given the US’s tenuous basis for invasion.
In a previous age, paleocons would have believed military force should be used only in defense of a foreign attack or overt aggression against the US. but it is no longer applicable today, considering the recent history of large dictator-states headed by leaders bent on mass destruction. Paleocons believe pre-emptive strikes are justified against such aggressors or other extremists and fundamentalist terrorists who answer to no state, government or international law.
Paleocons do not subscribe to any one particular party line, though they do align with the majority of conservatives in that they adopt traditional values, and most often oppose abortion, gay marriage and gun control. Paleocons also support capital punishment and a close reading of the U.S. Constitution.
Kirk is one of the heroes of the conservative movement. He is credited with establishing the 10 core principles of the paleoconservativism movement in 1993:
Criticisms
Paleocons frequently jostle with neoconservatives regarding the preservation of the traditional conservative ideology. Paleocons consider neocons former liberals who are trying to hijack the conservative political movement and bastardize its rhetoric in order to receive the rewards that come with political dominance. Palecons claim that their brand of conservatism is the true descendant of conservative thought of the 1950's and 1960's.
One of the criticisms palecons have to counter quite often is that they are anti-Semites because of their distrust of the US’s pro-Israel foreign policy in the Middle East. While Paleocons do prefer an isolationist foreign policy and accuse neocons of being interventionist and soft on big government programs, Paleocons argue that their opposition to American imperialism does not equate them with anti-Semitic beliefs. In fact, many of them support Israel’s right to identify itself according to its Jewish national character.
Because they have a pragmatic understanding that isolationism is an impractical foreign policy given the world’s economic interdependence, Paleocons are often accused of promoting pacifism. In fact, paleocons believe that pacifism only serves to create foreign aggression, thus weakening national security. Their real aim in wanting to stay out of foreign disputes isn’t to necessarily keep the peace, but to protect American interests, as Lau Tzu wrote, “To preserve peace, one most prepare for war.”
Political Relevance
One of the most politically influential leaders of the paleoconservative movement is one-time Nixon and Reagan staffer Patrick Buchanan, founder of The American Conservative. Buchanan was heavily influenced by the Rockford Institute’s paleocon publication, Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture. Another influential paleoconservative is political commentator Robert Novak. Although part of the paleoconservative ideology permeates Congress, there are surprisingly few paleoconservatives currently involved in US government.
Paleoconservative thought in the US is most widely associated with the anti-communist and anti-globalization right wing movement, which emphasizes tradition, civil society and classical federalism, along with familial, religious, regional, national and Western identity.
The paleocon philosophy arose from conservative opposition to President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal expansion of government in the 1930s and 1940s. The movement’s core beliefs were formed largely on the conservative principles laid out by author and philosopher Russell Kirk. The movement was given its name by Elizabethtown College Humanities Professor Paul Gottfried in the late 20th Century.
Paleocons believe in Laissez-faire capitalism, limited government and a non-interventionist approach to foreign policy. Most paleoconservatives are strongly opposed to the current war in Iraq, especially given the US’s tenuous basis for invasion.
In a previous age, paleocons would have believed military force should be used only in defense of a foreign attack or overt aggression against the US. but it is no longer applicable today, considering the recent history of large dictator-states headed by leaders bent on mass destruction. Paleocons believe pre-emptive strikes are justified against such aggressors or other extremists and fundamentalist terrorists who answer to no state, government or international law.
Paleocons do not subscribe to any one particular party line, though they do align with the majority of conservatives in that they adopt traditional values, and most often oppose abortion, gay marriage and gun control. Paleocons also support capital punishment and a close reading of the U.S. Constitution.
Kirk is one of the heroes of the conservative movement. He is credited with establishing the 10 core principles of the paleoconservativism movement in 1993:
- The conservative believes that there exists an enduring moral order.
- The conservative adheres to custom, convention, and continuity.
- Conservatives believe in what may be called the principle of prescription.
- Conservatives are guided by their principle of prudence.
- Conservatives pay attention to the principle of variety.
- Conservatives are chastened by their principle of imperfectability.
- Conservatives are persuaded that freedom and property are closely linked.
- Conservatives uphold voluntary community, quite as they oppose involuntary collectivism.
- The conservative perceives the need for prudent restraints upon power and upon human passions.
- The thinking conservative understands that permanence and change must be recognized and reconciled in a vigorous society.
Criticisms
Paleocons frequently jostle with neoconservatives regarding the preservation of the traditional conservative ideology. Paleocons consider neocons former liberals who are trying to hijack the conservative political movement and bastardize its rhetoric in order to receive the rewards that come with political dominance. Palecons claim that their brand of conservatism is the true descendant of conservative thought of the 1950's and 1960's.
One of the criticisms palecons have to counter quite often is that they are anti-Semites because of their distrust of the US’s pro-Israel foreign policy in the Middle East. While Paleocons do prefer an isolationist foreign policy and accuse neocons of being interventionist and soft on big government programs, Paleocons argue that their opposition to American imperialism does not equate them with anti-Semitic beliefs. In fact, many of them support Israel’s right to identify itself according to its Jewish national character.
Because they have a pragmatic understanding that isolationism is an impractical foreign policy given the world’s economic interdependence, Paleocons are often accused of promoting pacifism. In fact, paleocons believe that pacifism only serves to create foreign aggression, thus weakening national security. Their real aim in wanting to stay out of foreign disputes isn’t to necessarily keep the peace, but to protect American interests, as Lau Tzu wrote, “To preserve peace, one most prepare for war.”
Political Relevance
One of the most politically influential leaders of the paleoconservative movement is one-time Nixon and Reagan staffer Patrick Buchanan, founder of The American Conservative. Buchanan was heavily influenced by the Rockford Institute’s paleocon publication, Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture. Another influential paleoconservative is political commentator Robert Novak. Although part of the paleoconservative ideology permeates Congress, there are surprisingly few paleoconservatives currently involved in US government.
Quinn, J. (n.d.). Paleoconservatism -- Paleoconservatives. Retrieved July 6, 2015 from http://usconservatives.about.com/od/typesofconservatives/a/PaleoCons.htm
