James Jackson Kilpatrick: a study in contemporary American conservatism

Abstract

This thesis will examine the philosophy of James Jackson Kilpatrick. The views and analyses of his newspaper column are widely diffused throughout America. He is identified as a forceful exponent of contemporary American conservative thought. The definition of the conservative philosophy is frequently elusive. There are definitions of conservative so broad that most liberals can easily accept them, and other definitions of conservatism are so narrow they exclude many of their self-professed followers. Not only are most definitions of conservatism too broad or too narrow to be of much value, some conservative principles change from era-to-era. Conservatism is not a monolithic or immutable philosophy. The thesis is comprised of four chapters. The first chapter will introduce the reader to Kilpatrick through a biographical sketch; Chapter Two is a conceptual chapter to place him in the conservative mainstream; the Third Chapter will examine his judgments and analyses of the major social, political and economic issues from mid1966 through 1975 for consistency and to determine whatever he stands up to the postulates of conservatism; and Chapter Four will present the analyses and conclusions of the thesis. During the course of the thesis, several different definitions of conservatism will be drawn from various conservatives and will be examined. The conservative viewpoint toward the role of the American government and the nature of our economic system will also be examined. Kilpatrick will be placed in the conservative mainstream to determine how he compares to other conservatives and if he is consistent in his thinking.