The CONSERVATIVE FOUNDATIONS OF THE LIBERAL ORDER: Defending Democracy against Its Modern Enemies and Immoderate Friends - Hardcover

Mahoney, Daniel J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1935191004 ISBN 13: 9781935191001

Publisher: Intercollegiate Studies Institute, 2011

Synopsis

"Mahoney covers a vasr field with speed, brio, and pertinence, evoking nearly all the great question of the hour."---Pierre Manent

"This is a serious treatment of a serious problem. To understand what is worth recovering from liberalism, and so to conserve it, Mahoney draws upon Tocqueville and Bruke, Solzhenitsyn nd Aron, as well as the statesmanship of Churchill and de Gaulle. It is a splendid synthesis as well as a spirited defense."

Barry Cooper, University of Calgary

Praise for Daniel J. Mahoney

"Daniel Mahoney has done a brilliant job ... This is political philosophy of a high order, very readably presented."

"Listen to the wise advice of Daniel J. Mahoney, professor of political science at Assumption College and the author of several books that wrestle with the moral perplexities of living with Liberalism and, by extension, of coming to grips with modernity."---The New Criterion

"Anything by Daniel Mahoney is worth reading."---Wilson Carey McWilliams, Rutgers University

"Daniel Mahoney's book is a splendid achievement."---Philippe Beneton, author of Equality by Default

"Admirable in the first instance for its judiciousness, its clarity, and for an economy of expression."---Patrick J. Deneen, Society

"Factually and conceptually rich."---Paul Gottfried, Chronicles

Western Democracy has become increasingly estranged from its crucial historical, political, spiritual, and culturl prerequisites-from what author Daniel J. Mahoney calls "the conservative foundations of the liberal order." In this eloquent and insightful work of political philosophy and cultural criticism. Mahoney offers a vigorous defense of these foundations, and shows the dangers of identifying liberty with a radical project of social and cultural emancipation.

The Conservative Foundations of the Liberal Order takes particular aim at partisans of "pure democracy," who have transformed the principles of liberty and equality into an unreflective dogma. By reducing liberty to a vague affirmation of equality and individual autonomy, Mahoney shows, such partisans undermine those "contents of life"-religion, patriotism, philosophical reflection, family and social life-that enrich human existence and give purpose to human freedom. What we need instead is a conservative-minded liberalism.

Calling on the wisdom of Winston Churchill, Edmund Burke, Alexis de Tocqueville, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Raymond Aron, and other exemplary leaders and thinkers, Mahoney addresses a wide range of questions related to liberty in the contemporary world. He brilliantly analyzes the task of the democratic statesman; the need for prudence, sobriety, and civic courage in confronting the totalitarian enemies of the West; the ties that bind religion and democratic liberty; democracy's tendency to squander its own inheritance in frenzied efforts to establish a humn order that is more and more "democratic"; the follies of the post modern "culture of repudiation"; the reasons so many intellectuals indulge totalitarianism and terrorism; and much more.

Rejecting the dual temptations of utopianism and despair, Mahoney defends self-government-properly understood-against both democracy's enemies and its all-too-numerous "Immoderte friends." The Conservative Foundations of the Liberal Order upholds the rich civilized inheritance that allows human beings to lead free and decent lives together.

About this title

Book Description

“Mahoney covers a vast field with speed, brio, and pertinence, evoking nearly all the great questions of the hour.”—Pierre Manent

Saving Democracy from Its Enemies—and from Itself

Western democracy has become increasingly estranged from its crucial historical, political, spiritual, and cultural prerequisites—from what author Daniel J. Mahoney calls “the conservative foundations of the liberal order.” In this eloquent and insightful work of political philosophy and cultural criticism, Mahoney offers a vigorous defense of these foundations, and shows the dangers of identifying liberty with a radical project of social and cultural emancipation.

The Conservative Foundations of the Liberal Ordertakes particular aim at partisans of “pure democracy,” who have transformed the principles of liberty and equality into an unreflective dogma. By reducing liberty to a vague affirmation of equality and individual autonomy, Mahoney shows, such partisans undermine those “contents of life”—religion, patriotism, philosophical reflection, family and social life—that enrich human existence and give purpose to human freedom. What we need instead is a conservative-minded liberalism.

Calling on the wisdom of Winston Churchill, Edmund Burke, Alexis de Tocqueville, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Raymond Aron, and other exemplary leaders and thinkers, Mahoney addresses a wide range of questions related to liberty in the contemporary world. He brilliantly analyzes the task of the democratic statesman; the need for prudence, sobriety, and civic courage in confronting the totalitarian enemies of the West; the ties that bind religion and democratic liberty; democracy’s tendency to squander its own inheritance in frenzied efforts to establish a human order that is more and more “democratic”; the follies of the postmodern “culture of repudiation”; the reasons so many intellectuals indulge totalitarianism and terrorism; and much more.

Rejecting the dual temptations of utopianism and despair, Mahoney defends self-government—properly understood—against both democracy’s enemies and its all-too-numerous “immoderate friends.” The Conservative Foundations of the Liberal Order upholds the rich civilized inheritance that allows human beings to lead free and decent lives together.

What They're Saying...

"Mahoney knows more about these great Europeans than anyone else...his thoughtful and endlessly detailed appreciation for what they accomplished is unrivaled...Cherish this book as the most informed defense of a chastened liberalism written in a long time."
—The American Conservative

"Mahoney is among our most insightful political thinkers...He brings intellectual rigor and clarity to our often simplistic conversation about liberal democracy."
—City Journal

 “Mahoney, author of an excellent work on Solzhenitsyn, explores the relationship between religion, freedom, and democracy. . . . Mahoney proves his case that a sense of limitation is necessary if the democratic ideal is not itself to become despotic in its pursuit of perfection.”
—National Review

“A wide-ranging and illuminating book.”
—First Things

About the Author

Daniel J. Mahoney is the author of works on Charles de Gaulle, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Raymond Aron, and Bertrand de Jouvenel, and has edited or coedited many books, including The Solzhenitsyn Reader. He serves as chairman and professor of political science at Assumption College and has written for a wide range of public and scholarly journals. Mahoney lives in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Edition details

• Publisher: Intercollegiate Studies Institute
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1935191004
• ISBN 13: 9781935191001
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208