How to be a conservative

Roger Scruton makes a convincing argument for understanding the value of taking conservative positions on preserving our traditional institutions. He discusses the central role of families and why they are needed and the dangers of over reliance on government and its programs to assume the functions that traditional families have performed. He also see the danger of replacing the traditional role of charitable, religious and civic institutions with governmental programs. Over dependence on a central government will lead to changes that may forever destroy the foundations that our current culture and society depended on, leaving citizen only with what the government rulers dictate without any powerful independent institutions to challenge them. In addition Roger Scruton makes a convincing argument for preserving our past, both with public lands and city and town preservation. He has little desire to see centuries of communal institutional developments destroyed and replaced with untested and perhaps seriously flawed replacements

A lot of knowledge

The author, a prominent British conservative philosopher, lays out his political theory. Essentially, people should have territorial loyalty (i.e., nationalism), and the territory should be governed by secular law that respects freedom of speech, association, and property. Further, this law should emerge from the centuries-old practice of the common law. Notwithstanding the above, the author is not a libertarian, and he does see at least some role for the state in maintaining social welfare.Unfortunately, the last 1/3 of the book is a meandering discussion of religion and aesthetics. Further, the author frequently makes grandiose claims that aren't backed up by citations or studies-- an all too common trait among intellectuals in the humanities, unfortunately.

I'm still more of a libertarian than a conservative but I learned a lot from this book. Sir Roger Scruton is the most important British political philosopher since Edmund Burke, the two also happen to have a lot in common. Scruton's voice is uniquely suited to our times, his warnings should be heeded lest we lose all our freedoms that our ancestors sacrificed so much to secure.

Great read! Scruton is a brilliant apologist for the cause of conserving the Union, the U.S. Constitution, and freedom.While only a few brave left-wingers would dare or care to read this, it is a worthwhile tool for those who know the truth, and might remain unclear about what to do about it and how to move forward in that truth.Watch Scruton's interview on the Hoover Institution's youtube sight. He's weathered on the outside, but his bright light shines through.

Roger Scruton gives a reasoned voice to the conservatives of the world of today. Great read to be found here.

He gives a timely analysis of Soviet Socialism vs National Socialism. Soviet Socialism was based on cast: send the bourgeois to Siberia. National Socialism was based on race: send the Jews to the death camps. He shows that both are examples of totalitarianism. Today National Socialism is identified as the evil that it is. However, Soviet Socialism, responsible for far more deaths, has never been condemned by the left.

In a world taken over by decades of leftist thoughts and policies, to look at our western traditions is a good way to think about the things we cherish and look at what world and future se want for our kids.

Roger Scruton did such a splendid job of describing what is a conservative and how to be one that I bought three copies to share with others.

The only negative comment I can muster is the title being badly chosen. The book discusses the truth in : Nationalism, Socialism, and other political philosophies ending in -ism. The point being - if there were no truths in these philosophies then they would be long dead. There has to be some truth otherwise gullible intellectuals wouldn't have been taken in by them. But how much of each philosophy is eyewash?Read the book and be informed. An easy read in one sense; he uses no big words. Big ideas perhaps, but everyday words. A dictionary is usually not necessary with a Roger Scruton book.His motivation is to inform you rather than impress you.Each philosophical -ism has a chapter of it's own. The book is laid out logically, and the information flows nicely into the mind. One reviewer says that the book is the ramblings of a drugged mind. Nothing could be further from the truth. That review says more about the reviewer than the book.Once you've read the book you'll probably want to keep it as a reference book. A Thoroughly Enjoyable Read.

Leitura totalmente "obrigatória" para aqueles que se denominam como conservador, de fácil leitura o autor estrutura todos seus pensamentos de forma direta e clara para depois colocar algo mais teórico em suas explanações. Faz você se encontrar e reforçar o que acredita de forma sólida e clara, muito importante nos dias de hoje quando ao meio de tantas ideológias "jogadas ao ar", fica de difícil de defender o que acreditamos como conservadores. Recomendo que junto a leitura do livro as pessoas também procurem pelos vídeos e palestras de Roger Scruton pois juntamente com a leitura de outros dos seus títulos vai ajudar a estruturar muitas das idéias e conceitos fundamentais sobre o mundo numa ótica de direita.Um dos melhores livros que já lí.

Scruton's pocket reference regarding the position of conservatives in this day and age is simple delightfully understandable and too the point, if you are wondering about your own position this is a must read and short as it is well worth anyone's time.

ACostumbrado a los políticos conservadores españoles, que ni son conservadores ni poseedores de un perfil democrático auténtico y creíble, el conservadurismo que presenta Roger Scruton, siguiendo una tradición y un canon fielmente británico, es como bendita agua de mayo. Un gran libro que recomiendo a todos los que quieran conocer que es realmente el pensamiento conservador, sus sensatos valores, y su traducción en políticas concretas. Lo he leído en inglés pero creo que hay traducción en español. Scruton es poco conocido en los medios de comunicación de masas, y es una lástima, ya que su visión de la política, basada en un estricto conocimiento filosòfico es del mayor interés. Un libro muy oportuno en estos momentos de confusión i demagogia política en toda Europa. Un gran libro lleno de claridad y sentido común.