The Politics of Prudence
30th Anniversary Edition with a new introduction by Michael Federici.
Conservatives are guided by prudence. So taught Russell Kirk (1918–1994), one of the founding fathers of American conservatism. If the tradition of prudential politics has fallen on hard times, its comeback might well begin in the pages of this wise book. An understanding of prudence as practical wisdom, the capacity of choosing the right means to attain worthy ends, is much needed in our time. It is the virtue most associated with the statesman.
Distinguishing political prudence from ideology, Kirk examines ten principles, events, books, and thinkers that have shaped the conservative mind and heart. The final chapter examines the shortcomings of democracy throughout the world and the need for representative government conducted by temperate and thoughtful men and women. In an eloquent epilogue, Kirk calls the rising generation to the defense of order—both the moral order and the social order, the order of the soul and the order of society—against the enemies of justice, freedom, and a high culture.
Reflecting decades of learning and practical experience, this lucid book is Kirk’s bequest to the young men and women of today, an instruction manual for redeeming the time.
(See review below)
Submitted by: Reviewer, Edward Strickler
https://www.regnery.com/9781684515318/the-politics-of-prudence/
The Politics of Prudence
by Russell Kirk
Introduction by Michael P. Federici
30th Anniversary Edition with a new introduction by Michael Federici.
Russell Kirk’s book, the Politics of Prudence, is old, originally published in 1993, at the end of the first President Bush’ single term and at the beginning of President Clinton’s two terms. It has been re-published as a 30th anniversary edition by Regnery. Russel Kirk is long dead, since 1994, and should not be confused with the actor Kurt Russell (who received a double star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with his longtime companion Goldie Hawn). You can read more about Russell Kirk at Wikipedia – that records him to be “one of the most significant conservative men of letters [ i.e. intellectual ] of the twentieth century – of other sources. Of course we are now in an entirely different century than that old one but good ideas – and bad ideas – do persist across centuries, so the republication of a book on prudence in politics is eventful.
Prudence is critical for a healthy person and healthy society. In ancient Hebrew text of Proverbs we read that “Wisdom dwells together with prudence: knowledge and discretion (or discernment) together” (Proverbs 8.12). Ancient Greek philosophical traditions – later conveyed into Roman Catholic and other Christian theological traditions – regarded prudence (prudentia, in Latin) – also called wisdom (sapientia) – as one of the four (yes, just four!) cardinal virtues (‘cardinal’ from the Latin for ‘hinge’: the hinge is the crux/critical piece that makes the door work) . The other three cardinal virtues are Justice (righteous fairness), Courage (strength to endure despite uncertainty or intimidation), and Temperance (personal discretion and self control).
We live in times of exceptional intemperance and lack of self control on both ‘Red’ and Blue’ sides, exceptional unrighteousness and illegality on both ‘Blue’ and ‘Red’ sides. Can restoring attention to Prudence help us build healthier individual, family, community and national lives? The Hebrew Bible and ancient pagan and Christian philosophers/theologian would say so.
Regnery’s synopsis – https://www.regnery.com/9781684515318/the-politics-of-prudence/ – reminds us that books are creatures of their times, and this one is from 30 years ago. Russell’s explorations may not seem as apt to readers in the age of Internet immediacy to see and say things (but shouldn’t we ask: is it Prudent to spend so much time seeing and saying things on the Internet? Is it Prudent to believe everything people Tweet/X, Truth Social, blog, post, etc? ). But Kirk’s emphasis on social and moral order that can sustain democratic society is fulsomely important in our times. Kirk establishes that a moral imagination, informed by a profound estimation and protection of human dignity, is required for healthy society. Opening the book Kirk announces the “this small book is a defense of prudential politics, as opposed to ideological politics … the ideologue thinks of politics as a revolutionary instrument for transforming society and even transforming human nature … the ideologue is merciless”. Little did Kirk know that he was prophesying how we are living in the 21st century with ‘Blue’ and ‘Red’ ideologues mercilessly bullying and threatening people that they don’t like, dehumanizing communities that they regard as enemies, and propounding destructive social and political theories that suit their will to power.
Chapters covers themes as important today as 30 years ago, or a 100 years ago: ‘Prudent Foreign Policy’ (at a time of dangerous wars and threats of wars), bureaucratic ‘Centralization’ (just as we’re emerging from massive and oppressive central control of societies and economies through the Covid pandemic), ‘Educational Wastelands’ (in a time when public education is failing, in many ways, in K-12, and in our colleges and universities), ‘Popular Government and Intemperate Minds’ (as a time when Congress seems embroiled in one intemperate tantrum after the other rather, and when past Presidents and other statesmen are either utterly silent or unfailingly babbling about themselves).
It is not a big long book but it is a good short book that might help us. If you like you might hear a discussion including ideas from Russell Kirk at another entry in the Braver Angels’ Library:
Conservatism and the Call of Common Creedl, with John Wood Jr (2019), Braver Angels national ambassador
https://braverangels.org/conservatism-and-the-call-of-common-creed/
Reviewer, Edward Strickler