Comments on: The Conservative Dilemma in America: Turf Wars, Fusionism or Alliance?

By: Mark Amagi

Mark Amagi — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:41:26 +0000

What an image! Thanks GM. Progressivism may be a misnomer, but at least it was their own invention, and not a stolen and distorted re-definition of an old term like “liberalism.” But it is interesting that many so-called Progressives today are Luddites economically and regressive statists when it comes to individual and economic liberty.

By: GM Roper

GM Roper — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:02:58 +0000

Good post Mark, but I must say that there is absolutely nothing progressive about Progressive Statism. That said, conservatives & libertarians must join together and stop this eating of our own. I'm too much reminded of Goya's "Saturn Devouring His Son" If we do not hang together, we will surly hang separately.

By: Mark Amagi

Mark Amagi — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:41:42 +0000

I read your “Conservative-Libertarian Schism.” Excellent post! You’ve made a great case for Fusionism, which is possible for some of us. It’s why, when asked about my own political preferences and philosophy, I respond “conservative libertarian.”
I think you ought to post it again, as the time is certainly ripe!

By: Mark Amagi

Mark Amagi — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:36:18 +0000

Thanks for the comment and citation, Francis. I look forward to reading what you’ve written. I did glance at it and as you can see from my posts, I too have been influenced by Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams, and who cares whether they’re Neo, Paleo, or Libertarian (or a combination of all three). I’m definitely not a purist in that respect.
The only thing I might disagree with is that I do think that conservatism does need representatives of traditional conservatism, like Kirk, if it is to survive as a viable political movement, although it is debatable whether or not his fellow travelers will show up for the cause if they don’t win out. Many on the far right opt out for third parties when push comes to shove, and admittedly, I’ve done so myself in the past.

By: Francis W. Porretto

Francis W. Porretto — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:00:23 +0000

Russell Kirk was a fine example of the sort of conservative "who never thinks anything should be done for the first time." He spent quite a bit of his time and energy slagging off classical liberals such as Von Mises and libertarians such as frank Chodorov - and to what ultimate end? A backwater in which conservatives have nothing to say but "Stop!" Apropos of your larger topic, ou might be interested in this exposition on a modern synthesis of conservative and libertarian thought.