The political philosophy of Peter Viereck : an examination of the meaning of contemporary American conservatism

To meet these objectives, I looked at the works of Peter Viereck, of other conservatives, and of writers on conservatism and political philosophy.

I found that conservatism is a fragmented ideology. It is divided into roughly three groups: (1) traditionalists--those conservatives most concerned with a return to traditional, non-economic values, religious and moral absolutes, and duty and authority; (2) libertarians--those conservatives most concerned about individual freedom, particularly in the economic realm; and (3) the fusionists--those conservatives who have tried to combine the above branches. Traditionalism is the dominant form of conservatism in Europe, while fusionism is dominant in America. . Viereck is a traditionalist in a country dominated by fusionism. This accounts for the misunderstanding between Viereck and his fellow American conservatives. They are advocating different types of conservatism. Viereck is a conservative, but he is advocating a form of conservatism that has had little influence in America, except in figures like John Adams, Henry Adams, Herman Melville, and Irving Babbitt. Fusionist conservatism is hostile toward state intervention in the economy. Traditionalist conservatism is not as hostile. This accounts for the difference of opinion between Viereck and most American conservatives concerning social reform. He is willing to accept the New Deal and other social reform that calls for state intervention, while fusionist American conservatism is not. Viereck accepts social reform because it is humane to do so, and because moderate social reform prevents revolution.

Although Viereck is a European-style, traditionalist conservative, he is influenced by his American environment. Though he accepts the traditionalist concern for moral absolutes, he also accepts American individualism. This has caused an ambiguity in his thought. Also, it is Viereck's purpose to make conservatism a viable force in America, a popular ideology. This has also led him into ambiguity as he seeks moderation in order to make conservatism acceptable. Despite these flaws, however, Viereck is an important thinker whose philosophy has been largely overlooked.