Political Ideas and Ideologies: Understanding and Rethinking Conservatism

Location

Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall, Humanities Center, Room 200

Free

Today’s Republican Party proudly associates itself with conservatism as its defining ideology. But, as we embark upon a new era of GOP control over all three branches of the federal government (and many state & local governments, California excepted), what do we really know about what it means to be conservative? What is conservatism, exactly, and how well do the GOP and President Trump embody its values and ideals?

John Stuart Mill once lamented “how little Conservative leaders understand Conservative principles” and contemporary philosopher Roger Scruton has argued that “it’s so much harder to think like a Conservative.” With that in mind, we'll be exploring what it means to think like a conservative and ask whether or not the politicians and policies associated with that label can truly be said to be right thinking.

Series: Thursdays, March 23, 30 and April 6, 20

Refreshments provided.