Winter 2014

Redeeming Conservatism

The Winter 2014 issue of Comment is themed Redeeming Conservatism. Are we out of our minds?

If you can’t imagine anything good coming out of conservatism, this issue is for you. Our hope is you’ll discover, first, that conservatism is not what you thought it was. Second, we hope when you encounter this conservative disposition, you might have occasion to take stock and be surprised to find this names a sensibility you already share.

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In The Print Issue

02

Editorial

James K.A. Smith

Redeeming Conservatism

Conservatism is more hopeful and optimistic than we like to give it credit for.

06

Essay

James K.A. Smith

World View

An annotated reading of your world, including YMCA and family dinners.

13

Cardus

Headquarters

Updates from Cardus on the renewal of social architecture.

14

Essay

Phillip Blond

Is Social Conservatism Conservative?

Even the left should be pro-family.

20

Essay

Lisa Hosack

Who Owns “Social Justice?”

Social work has been dominated by progressivism. But there's another way.

28

Essay

Brian Dijkema

A Prudential Manifesto: Class Struggle for the Common Good

The gap between the life that elites preach and the life they live.

35

Essay

Wilfred M. Mcclay

The Gift of Guilt and the Recovery of Joy

There is no more characteristically modern assumption than the belief that it lies within our power to find happiness.

44

Essay

W. David O. Taylor

Twelve Features of a Scriptural Imagination

Who is the artist to help us imagine ways to conserve creation and culture?

51

Q&a

Change the World from Home: A Conversation with Rod Dreher

Change isn't always big.

62

Book Review

Mark Mulder

“The Dickensian Aspect”: Persistent Poverty and Inequality

A twenty-four year sociological study shows that there are distinct advantages to being white and poor over being black and poor.

68

Essay

Ray Pennings

A Devastating Day

What meaning can we find in despair?

Browse Past Issues and Archive

More on this Theme

Editorial
- James K.A. Smith
Redeeming Conservatism

Conservatism is more hopeful and optimistic than we like to give it credit for.
Essay
- James K.A. Smith
World View

An annotated reading of your world, including YMCA and family dinners.
Cardus
Headquarters

Updates from Cardus on the renewal of social architecture.
Essay
- Phillip Blond
Is Social Conservatism Conservative?

Even the left should be pro-family.
Essay
- Lisa Hosack
Who Owns “Social Justice?”

Social work has been dominated by progressivism. But there's another way.
Essay
- Brian Dijkema
A Prudential Manifesto: Class Struggle for the Common Good

The gap between the life that elites preach and the life they live.
Essay
- Wilfred M. Mcclay
The Gift of Guilt and the Recovery of Joy

There is no more characteristically modern assumption than the belief that it lies within our power to find happiness.
Essay
- W. David O. Taylor
Twelve Features of a Scriptural Imagination

Who is the artist to help us imagine ways to conserve creation and culture?