Friedrich August von HayekFriedrich August von Hayek, (1899-1992), Nobel Laureate of Economic Sciences 1974

Friedrich August von Hayek Quote

“Unlike liberalism, with its fundamental belief in the long-range power of ideas, conservatism is bound by the stock of ideas inherited at a given time. And since it does not really believe in the power of argument, its last resort is generally a claim to superior wisdom, based on some self-arrogated superior quality.”

Friedrich August von HayekFriedrich August von Hayek
~ Friedrich August von Hayek

"Why I Am Not a Conservative," postcript to The Constitution of Liberty [1960] (Chicago: Henry Regnery, 1972)

Ratings and Comments


PO'dPuppy
  • Reply
PO'dPuppy    9/26/14

In Hayek's prime there may have been validity in that statement, but the progress of time has switched that philosophy 180 degrees.

Robert, St. Emilion, France

Unfortunately, it is still most prevalent today....

Mike, Pleasant Hill

Are we talking about classic liberalism or twisted modern liberalism? Big difference.

Ronw13, Yachats Or

I think more so, than not, Hayek believes in Brakah Liberal. Financial system of natural liberty. remove fiscal obstruction to private activity. A blessed system, Brakah liberality. Gladstone and Acton stepping upon the same stones of pure financial liberty for the individual. Let their wealth fructify in the pockets of the people. Numbers do not lie in the mind of the intuitionist. The experiment of establishing a sanctuary of this Liberty to the people endowed by the Creator. The right to do what you aught to do. Retrenchment. This comes by way of not ( a ) religious denomination but Gods party of life. Natural love. As appose to unnatural affection.
As to those conservatives mentioned, they are bound in doubt !

Mike, Norwalk

Mike, you do have to say "hmmm". I am pretty sure the topic is progressivism. Today's liberalism is a religion of immorality and anti-fiscal law.

E Archer, NYC

Hayek nails it. This is precisely why the conservatives will continue to lose ground and why the socialists have been so successful in co-opting the Liberal parties. It seems the only thing that rallies Conservatives is a 'holy' WAR.

Ronw13, Yachats Or

It seems so Archer, Common sense of economic liberty, causes convulsions within socialism. Both parties working within a socialistic system. Tyrannical liberals and socialistic conservatives. It has been brewing for a long time.

cal, Lewisville, tx

Libertarians have been trying to work up in the republican party, but karl Rove keeps knocking them back.

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.