I feel the need to clarify why I read this, as I’m not a Conservative and I don’t want anyone to think that I am. Simply put, I wanted a better understanding of the Republican Party (you know, keep your friends close, your enemies closer, that kinda thing). What DO they believe in? What does it (or should it) mean to be a Republican? What are “traditional Republican values”?

Well, I am no closer to identifying as a Republican, but I am happy to say that this book answered those questions for me in an accessible and concise way. And although it was published in 1960, theory is timeless. Some of the data is, of course, stale.

I’m not here to critique his theories (I did a fine job of marking up my copy), I’m just here to critique the body of work. And if you’re looking to try and make heads or tails of the Republican Party, or what the Republican Party STARTED as, this is a good place to start.

I read this in a long-running attempt to understand the mind of those who hold beliefs that differ from my own, as well as a desire to understand American history better. It is an interesting contrast with a previous book I read, Libertarianism: A Primer by David Boaz. So far as I can tell, the primary difference between conservatives and libertarians is that conservatives believe the federal government has a set of legitimate powers, as strictly defined by the constitution, and libertarians believe the only legitimate concerns of government should be national defense and the courts. A ton of conservative ideology hasn't changed since this was written in 1960. Their foreign policy could use a coherent update too. I disagreed with a ton of it, but not as much as I'd thought I would. Still I remain unconvinced. YMMV, of course.

I didn't agree with everything in this book, but in general I am an admirer of Barry Goldwater and appreciate he left a condensed summary of his politics in this quick and readable book. First, what I don't agree with. I think his deferment to state's rights on Civil Rights issues is misplaced, I believe that when the Constitution preserves an individual rights of this nature state's shouldn't be allowed to discriminate against citizens based on race like they were at the time.

His arguments against the horrors of communism and Russia are spot on. Today his same warnings and analysis can be applied to China. It's important to note that Barry Goldwater's analysis on this threat wasn't just from his experience as a US Senator, but also his experience as a Major General in the US Air Force.

I love his simple question --- "Are we maximizing freedom?" --- I will tell you after nearly a decade of GOP control the answer is no because Republicans are pro-business not pro-free market. The same is true at the Federal level. Republicans are not synonymous with Conservative and my wish is free markets, which is by extension a commitment to liberty and freedom, are better embraced by both parties.

Interesting book by a real conservative. I wonder what Goldwater would think if he got a good look at today's neocons.

Dated, but good analysis of American conservative ideology