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.

Still a great classic

Great read Should be required reading for everyone

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

I am a liberal but found a number of his arguments compelling. At the same time, some were a bit out there.

A classic argument for conservatism. Well written. Thoughtful and logical. The book that inspired my political thinking when I first read it in 1984.

The small snippets I had read about Barry Goldwater suggested that he was the reasonable face of Republicanism so I was interested to read his statement of principles. I was disappointed to discover it’s basically the source of almost every banal right wing talking point of the last almost sixty years. It’s not that he doesn’t make a good case. He writes eloquently and without malice. It’s just that his theory of strict constitutionalism suffers the same flaw as every other political system from totalitarian dictatorship to full participatory democracy, and from pure communism to laissez-faire capitalism: They all work perfectly in the abstract until you add people – particularly when you add people who have a different interpretation of freedom. And when you consider that Mr Goldwater’s notion of freedom is the fend-for-yourself kind, there would be more than a few who don’t find that version of freedom particularly liberating. It would be unfair to view the final chapter on the evils of communism and the threat of Soviet domination with today’s eyes. But his view of tactical nuclear weapons as being clean and efficient is at best naïve. His suggestion that atmospheric nuclear testing results in little to no radioactive fallout, can only be wilfully ignorant. There is plenty of conservatism here but little conscience. The cold war discussion can be seen as of its time. That was uncharted territory. The civil war and the great depression however, had shown where hands-off government could lead, and that is never addressed. It’s still a good source of honest conservative theory free of arrogance or vitriol.

So I bought this book to try inform myself on some fundamental conservative principles (not like they really change much!) and the book that inspired two presidents (Reagan and Bush II). It is a very well written book and even though many of the points in it are very, very outdated in today's world (like talking about how the Eisenhower's administration was spending the astronomical amount of 85 billion a year ha ha ha!) the core philosophy Goldwater is espousing is timeless. Overall it informed many of my arguments with practical reasoning that applies even today. My only main concern aside from the history he used was his argument about Civil Rights which while I agree in principle to some of it, my modern sensibilities conflicted with his statements. If you're flirting with libertarian conservatism and want a book from an icon, then certainly order this book today! If you are very left wing in your opinions I think this book may overwhelm you with it's brevity, but I always suggest finding out about the 'other' side because my next book will likely be The People's History of the USA!

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.