Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics

This episode explores the tension within American conservative thought between Traditional Burkean conservatism and classical liberalism. Host William Hudson discusses this tension with Providence College Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science Savannah Johnston. Her recent scholarly work suggests that the “fusion” between these theoretical tendencies worked out in the National Review in the early 1960s may be unraveling. She argues that the fundamental contradictions between how each theoretical tradition views human nature, the purpose of government, the role of the individual – particularly as a source of morality, and the role of reason in organizing society make an on-going fusion untenable. Many contemporary conservatives seem to be shedding the classical liberal strand and turning to the more traditional “illiberal” conservatism.

Show Notes

This episode explores the tension within American conservative thought between Traditional Burkean conservatism and classical liberalism.  Host William Hudson discusses this tension with Providence College Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science Savannah Johnston.  Her recent scholarly work suggests that the “fusion” between these theoretical tendencies worked out in the National Review in the early 1960s may be unraveling.  She argues that the fundamental contradictions between how each theoretical tradition views human nature, the purpose of government, the role of the individual – particularly as a source of morality, and the role of reason in organizing society make an on-going fusion untenable.  Many contemporary conservatives seem to be shedding the classical liberal strand and turning to the more traditional “illiberal” conservatism.

Creators & Guests

Host
Bill Hudson
Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics is a podcast of the Providence College Political Science Department. On the podcast, we provide analysis of political issues and events featuring the expertise of Providence College faculty members. Our episodes seek to offer in depth discussion of contemporary events that go beyond what typically is covered in the media. In particular, our guests draw on the most up to date research in political science and other fields to throw light on world events. Our episodes cover political events in all regions of the world and in the United States. The issues and events analyzed include elections, public policy, domestic and international crises, political ideologies, racial and ethnic relations, prominent political figures, and many other topics.

What is Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics?

Welcome to "Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics" a new podcast sponsored by the Providence College Political Science Department. Host William Hudson, Political Science Department Chair, and colleagues will provide expert analysis of current political events and issues, delving more deeply into their causes and consequences than can be found in typical media sources.