Intellectual Conservatism

Intellectual Conservatism Synopsis

This book examines the history of intellectual conservatism from its late 18th century "founding father", Edmund Burke, to its last great representative, the late Sir Roger Scruton.

Focusing on British intellectual conservatism and investigating this under-researched area of political thought through multiple contributions and disciplines, the editors' aim is to provide an account of the supportive or critical intellectual work behind conservative politics in the 19th and 20th century, with a long-term view on the modern conservative movement. It is an up-to-date account of some of the major theoretical issues of conservatism that utilises case studies to provide pictures of particular conservative intellectuals, explain key concepts and reconstruct major schools and defining debates within conservatism. There is a particular focus on the role of Christianity, the British common law tradition and on the connection between culture and politics.

Intellectual Conservatism: From Burke to Scruton is valuable for university students studying history, political science, PPE or the social sciences, as well as those interested in the contemporary debates in Western politics on the future of Europe and the US.