Only at first foes it seem paradoxical that the anti-internationalism of conservatism is so frequently associated with imperialism. But the more a person dislikes the strange and thinks his own ways superior, the more he tends to regard it as his mission to 'civilize' other - not by the voluntary and unhampered intercourse which the liberal favors, but by bringing them the blessings of efficient government. It is significant that here again we frequently find the conservatives joining hands with the socialists against the liberals...
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Conservatives often oppose internationalism yet support imperialism because they believe their culture is superior and must civilize others through efficient government rather than free exchange.
- In plain terms
- People who think their way is best often try to force it on others using government power.
- What can you take from it?
- Cultural superiority often leads to coercive expansion.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do conservatives support imperialism if they dislike the strange?
- How does efficiency justify coercion?
Another view
The quote assumes a specific definition of conservatism that may not apply to all conservative thinkers.
More from Friedrich Hayek
An aversion to nationalism is fully compatible with a deep attachment to national traditions. But the fact that I prefer and feel reverence for some of the tra…
Permalink to quote #89 What I have described as the liberal position shares with conservatism a distrust of reason to the extent that the liberal is very much aware that we do not kn…
Permalink to quote #91 Connected with the conservative distrust if the new and the strange is its hostility to internationalism and its proneness to a strident nationalism. Here is a…
Permalink to quote #88
Related quotes
'Good for you, you have a heart, you can be a liberal. Now, couple your heart with your brain, and you can be a conservative.'
Glenn BeckGlenn Beck quote #7 Thanks to its chokehold on the nation's culture, liberalism is thus in power whether its politicians are elected or not; it rules over us even though Republica…
Thomas FrankThomas Frank quote #9 There is a process of slow modification and development mainly in directions which I view with misgiving. 'Tory democracy,' the favourite idea on that side, is…
William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone quote #24