David Brooks, on the changing character of conservatism in America.
"Conservatism was once a frankly elitist movement. Conservatives stood against radical egalitarianism and the destruction of rigorous standards. They stood up for classical education, hard-earned knowledge, experience and prudence. Wisdom was acquired through immersion in the best that has been thought and said.
But, especially in America, there has always been a separate, populist, strain. For those in this school, book knowledge is suspect but practical knowledge is respected. The city is corrupting and the universities are kindergartens for overeducated fools."
--David Brooks, in his September 15th column for the New York Times
Populism has always been a movement of the left, not the right. Also being against radical egalitarianism is not elitism; radically egalitarian movements always come with an elite to make sure all the equality goes correctly (e.g. apparatchiks) and Brooks has a lot of explaining to do if he wants to sell the idea that meritocracy = elitism.
Posted by: Robert www.neolibertarian.com at September 17, 2008 6:43 AM