Conservatism is both opposed to liberalism and part of liberalism – but how? This was the topic Harvey C. Mansfield, ’53, Research Professor of Government considered in his Vik-Bailey lecture on March 21.
Harvey, who retired from teaching last year but remains part of the department as a researcher, devoted more than six decades to teaching the political science of the best regime: originating in the Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle and reformed by the modern political science of Machiavelli and liberal constitutionalism.
It is therefore no surprise that these ideas formed the basis of his lecture, with Harvey invoking Aristotle’s philosophies of governance, the common good, and understanding the distinction between ‘rule’ and ‘representation’.
The lecture, which was well attended by students, faculty, and visitors alike, was captured by Anna Lamb from The Harvard Gazette – read the full article here.
Image credit: The Harvard Gazette