Easy Chair No. 137, January 2, 1987

R.J. Rushdoony critiques the lionization of Thoreau, highlighting that his retreat to Walden Pond was less a philosophical act than a gesture of personal alienation from Concord. While often portrayed as a nature idealist, Thoreau frequently returned to town for meals and socializing, demonstrating a divergence between myth and reality.

Rushdoony also critiques modern conservatism through Russell Kirk, arguing that Kirk’s emphasis on tradition, custom, and continuity neglects faith and fundamental justice. Such conservatism, though seemingly rooted in stability, is impotent in addressing contemporary moral and societal issues because it is not grounded in God. He contrasts this with the seriousness of the early Anglo-Saxon Christian converts, who underwent rigorous preparation and moral change, demonstrating a faith-based transformation absent in modern practice.

He then discusses cultural and historical insights from various books. Joseph Wandel highlights the influential German dimension in American history, from immigration to contributions in sports and society. Bob Tamarkin’s The New Gatsbys reveals how commodity traders reflect the existentialist, short-term, high-risk mentality of modern culture. Viktor Suvorov’s Inside the Aquarium exposes the brutal training and psychology of Soviet GRU operatives, while Vladimir Voinovich’s The Anti-Soviet Soviet Union humorously reveals Soviet dysfunction and naïve Western perceptions. Rushdoony concludes with observations on television, noting extreme sponsor control, regulatory quirks, and declining moral standards in programming, reflecting the broader cultural shift away from reason, faith, and responsibility.