Conservativism, Chronicles and Paleoconservativism

The American Conservative Union ^ | 12/30/2003 | Don Devine

[Clemenza]

Fleming is a smart guy, but lost alot of respect from me when he declare France the most "conservative" nation in the world. Yeah, if by "conservative" you mean 35 hour work weeks, social welfare benefits and "hate speech" laws.

The Paleocons, like the Randians, are more a cult than a mass movement. They hope to bring bubbas to "cultual Catholicism" (what I like to call "Maurrasism" after the "Catholic" atheist Charles Maurras) and Isolationism (despite the fact that Francis is a pagan.

[JohnGalt]

I did not read where Fleming delcared France the most conservative nation in the world; do you have a link so that I may comment?

What do you make of the neocons then?

[Clemenza]

It was in a special issue that they did dedicated to France and French culture back in 1998 (I had a subscription then). It was the same issue where the awarded the Ingersoll prize to Jean Raspail of Camp of the Saints fame.

I am not a fan of the paleocons or neocons as movements per se, although I admire individuals within those respective movements. The late ME Bradford and Paul Gottfried (and the rest of the Telos crowd) are paleos I admire. Among the neos, I like Harvey Mansfield and Irving Kristol.

As for myself, I am an libertarian federalist on most domestic issues, although I support a welfare state at the most local level, if the citizenry desires. On international issues, I am more of a Kissengerian than a neocon or Buchananite.

[JohnGalt]

I suspect you are a few years older than I and certainy are well read on the 'paleocons,' but alliances change and hence the point of the article. I am closer to a Christian Murray Rothbard Old Rightist, but I love Fleming's biting commentary on the current crisis.

Yours in liberty,

[JohnGalt]

Can you change the author to Don Devine?

Thank you.

He was kind enough to Freep Mail me that I had misattributed authorship.