One thing I've noticed in traditionalist conservatives is more intellectualism than intellect. Not that they're stupid guys, but their reach--their intellectual ambition--is often far beyond their grasp. Russell Kirk may be the best example of this. Rod Dreher is another; Buchanan a third. Garry Wills is an absolutely first-rate intellect, but his traditionalism is a wavering one.
(Btw, casting Buchanan as the anti-Wills is brilliant!)
Ha! Yes, I know exactly what you're describing and that formulation captures it well. William F. Buckley is another good example, although I think he knew it about himself. Jonah Goldberg too.
I am planning to explore Buchanan/Wills in the book manuscript a bit. For instance, Buchanan cites "Mater si! Magistra, no!" as an example of National Review's wit and balance of faithfulness and critique. Of course, Wills coined the phrase.
One thing I've noticed in traditionalist conservatives is more intellectualism than intellect. Not that they're stupid guys, but their reach--their intellectual ambition--is often far beyond their grasp. Russell Kirk may be the best example of this. Rod Dreher is another; Buchanan a third. Garry Wills is an absolutely first-rate intellect, but his traditionalism is a wavering one.
(Btw, casting Buchanan as the anti-Wills is brilliant!)
Ha! Yes, I know exactly what you're describing and that formulation captures it well. William F. Buckley is another good example, although I think he knew it about himself. Jonah Goldberg too.
I am planning to explore Buchanan/Wills in the book manuscript a bit. For instance, Buchanan cites "Mater si! Magistra, no!" as an example of National Review's wit and balance of faithfulness and critique. Of course, Wills coined the phrase.
I'm not sure about Oakeshott. A first-rate intellect: yes. But is he really a traditionalist?