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Entry: A Reply to Thomas DiLorenzo Link: http://www.takimag.com/sniperstower/article/a_reply_to_thomas_dilorenzo#24913 Post contents: If by "pre-paleo," you mean a precursor of paleoconservatism, then the answer is clearly no. Kendall's admiration for Rousseau and his adoption of Strauss's critique of historicism, among many other things, separate him from the paleocons. The critique of historicism, in fact, is central. While perhaps only Paul Gottfried and Claes Ryn have been willing to embrace the term <i>historicism</i>, many (most?) paleos regard historical consciousness as a (the?) defining element of paleoconservatism. Kendall's critique of historicism, like Strauss's, is not merely of historical determinism but extends to historical consciousness. For paleos, the recognition that history and tradition are normative--that we know the universal only through the particular--is essential. Kendall would never have been comfortable with this "incarnational" aspect of paleoconservatism, nor with paleo critiques of Rousseau, which have their roots in this historical consciousness. That's why I wrote above that "Nor, for that matter, is there much reason to believe that he would have considered himself such if he had lived another 20 years." Sent at: 2008 10 13