The Conscience of a Conservative

Goldwater's seminal book is an excellently concise and eloquent explanation of the core philosophies of conservatism. Each chapter acts as an essay describing the conservative (though not always partisan) stance on an issue ranging from the welfare state to U.S./Soviet relations. Goldwater also deftly counters the enduring albeit trite criticism of conservatism as being unsympathetic to the common man. He makes it clear that regardless of his personal feelings, his thoughts on the issues are rooted in a strict interpretation of the Constitution and logic based arguments. A prime example is Goldwater's belief that hot button issues of his day like segregation in public schools were best solved by state governments, despite his proclamation that he himself was a supporter of integrated schools. Even when the reader disagrees, one can scarcely deny that Barry Goldwater was a principled politician. Perhaps most notable about this brief work is the wisdom and readability that make it more than a historical curiosity. Considering this was written in 1960, Senator Goldwater's predictions and assessments are by and large very accurate. It's truly remarkable to see the consequences of predicaments he warned us again. At the heart of this book, is an endearing love of America and a profound faith in our Constitution as the foundation of American society.

Conservatism is maligned by much of our culture now -- seeing it as anachronistic and emotionally out-of-touch with the mainstream. This is due, in large measure, to the media that massages the public mind constantly with more liberal-slanted notions. Of course, there are many who have called themselves conservative but acted otherwise. This, coupled with the media onslaught, has pushed down those among us that would simply ask others to listen to -- or read -- conservative philosophical ideas. There is in conservatism a prevalent view that involves morality. There is a majored view on what constitutes a healthy economic life for a family, community, or nation. There is a belief that our country is different from other countries -- not only in its articles of state that setup the nation -- but the outlook of those citizens that love the land itself. Goldwater's volume is a great introduction to some of the principles of conservatism. A good read for those who belong to any portion of the political spectrum.

What is the main question being asked of every American reading this book? The crises facing America today is different than the Soviet threat we addressed when this book was written. But the new threat is just as destructive to our way of life. The threat: fragmentation of our country. Conscience of a Conservative outlines that we were then as now not abiding by the constitution. We gave our federal government more power than it was entitled to by letting it marginalize the states of the Union in an effort to desegregate our public schools. Goldwater correctly states that desegregation was correct but not at the expense of our constitution. Goldwater goes on to address the overspending habits of our nation, still relevant today. The last chapters are concerned with dealing with the soviet threat of communism and all out nuclear war. Goldwater states that we were on the defensive all the way, thereby risking eventual defeat, stating that no boxer can survive a match by blocking alone. Instead, Goldwater believed that offensive strategy of preparing for small scale military confrontations with small scale nuclear weapons, which the soviets lacked, would have produced more efficient results. Today as then, America is weighed down by overspending on welfare. We fund everything the Federal government wants to fund. Each state in the union is willing to accept funds from the Feds in exchange for sovereignty over our local governments. Education, health care and social security. These items cost big bucks, but who is benefiting? America is now a discombobulated land of mass consumers with no common values. Fragmentation is actually not the problem anymore, for there are no fragments left but only crumbs of a conquered nation. Now we are at the mercy of natural disasters and the whims of unprincipled leaders. Is it too late for the silent conservatives that remain to take America back? No! At least it's not too late to fight to get it back, after all what else is there to do in this world but fight!

The book came in on time, packed perfectly. The only issue is that the Title is misspelled. The red seems ok for now.

Glad I purchased this book for my collection. Great information. Knowledge is power.

Some parts are dated, obviously, but overall this book is remarkably relevant to the present day. Highly recommended.

Este livro é importante porque mostra claramente como se deu o processo de "apropriação" de todas as instâncias do Estado: Legislativo, Judiciário e Executivo[ eleição de 2016. Trump presidente dos Estados Unidos]. A evolução do simples lobby, passando para a compra de políticos, juízes, de todos que ocupam postos chaves no Estado através de propina. Financiamento de campanhas políticas e mesmo políticos criados com o objetivo de aprovar leis que beneficiem capitalistas dos diversos setores da Economia. O individualismo levado ao extremo no laissez-faire, lassez-passé e toda a superestrutura de "verdades" enfiadas goela abaixo sobre os norte-americanos sob o disfarce de LIBERDADE e o ESTADO NÃO RESOLVE PROBLEMAS, O ESTADO É O PROBLEMA frase de todos os políticos neoliberais já nos finais dos anos 1950'. Este livro apenas corrobora a afirmação do historiador Eric Hobsbawm, de que a "Gold Age" ou American Dream, Welfare state nos EUA foi apenas um momento em que o libertarianismo não pode se afirmar devido a desolação e destruição geral de economias durante a Segunda Grande Guerra. Economias refeitas, competitividade descontrolada, o gigantismo chinês no mercado mundial preparou o terreno para a volta do liberalismo e desta vez atroz! Barry neste livreto apenas reavivou o discurso capitalista e a necessidade de se apossar do Legislativo, o que se deu sem muitas resistências dos republicanos e democratas. O livreto serve para complementar o documentário e livro Saving capitalism...de Robert Reich e entender como se deu este processo.

The power of an ideology is effortlessly demonstrated in this book by the leading light of the conservative movement. As subsequent domestic and world events demonstrated, Goldwater's work was prescient and far ahead of its time.

I was pleased to get a copy of this book which I read many years ago. The book will be used as a reference.

Great book for understanding the thoughts of one of the forefathers of the modern conservative and libertarian movements

Fabulous insights and thetefore the understanding of why USA deals with the world as it does. It is so relevant in today's confusing dichotomies.