Conservatism: Burke, Nozick, Bush, Blair? by Honderich, Ted

Low stock: 9 left

228mm x 152mm x 25mm

Pages: 368

Review 'A powerful critique of the major beliefs of modern Conservatism.' --Bhikhu Parekh, New Statesman 'The whole book must be read. Indeed, only the final page, like a good detective story, brings with it the full philosophical discovery.' --Observer 'A tumultuous onslaught ... a substantial piece of work.' -- The Times, London'Honderich's polemic has considerable force.' -- Financial Times'Relentlessly, fiercely argued.' -- Philosophical Books'[A powerful critique of the major beliefs of modern conservatism.' -- New Statesman'[An extended analysis of conservative political theory by an eminent radical philosopher.' -- Utilitas Product Description This is a new edition of a classic work by one of the world's leading progressive political philosophers. Ted Honderich examines ideology and reality in British and American politics in order to establish the true distinctions of conservatism. Conservatives often claim to believe in reform, but not change, to rely on instinct rather than abstract theories. So what is the conservative rationale? Does conservatism have a philosophical founding principle that unifies it? Ted Honderich's search for the fundamental principle of conservatism is an enlightening one. He examines influential thinkers in the conservative tradition, from Edmund Burke and Adam Smith to Michael Oakeshott and Robert Nozick. He brings rigorous analytic philosophy to bear on the Republican party in the United States, and the Conservative party and the New Labour party in Britain. This lucid book, written with wit and clarity, is fully revised and updated in order to give a rigorous and complete analysis of conservatism up to the American election of 2004. Honderich's subtle analysis is not without surprises: the book will continue to be of interest to all students of politics, and anyone who wants a broader understanding of what today's politicians owe to the conservative tradition. About the Author Ted Honderich is Grote Professor Emeritus at University College London and author of numerous books on philosophy including After the Terror (Edinburgh University Press, 2002), How Free Are You? (Oxford University Press, 2001), and editor of The Philosophers: Introducing Great Western Thinkers (Oxford University Press, 2001). He is also the editor of the Oxford Companion to Philosophy.