Michael Oakeshott´s Work as a Liberal-Conserv ative Paradigm

Abstract

As is the case with other thinkers linked to what can be broadly defi ned
as conservatism, it is arguable whether Michael Oakeshott was just a
conservative, or whether he was also a liberal. He often rejected this last
label. He also tried to avoid the classic debate between the left/right
wing divide, conferring instead a mantle of neutrality on his work. This
analysis shows, on the one hand, that Oakeshott´s work is ideologically
orientated and, on the other hand, that it contains a substantial liberal
component. In fact, he offered a liberal-conservative synthesis in which
the free market appears to be not only the best, but the only feasible
outcome in the proposed scenario of political prudence. I will fi rst
connect Oakeshott with the main traditions of thought, then analyse the
theoretical implications of his position, and fi nally explore the
consequences derived from all this for everyday political practice.