"A reflection on American conservatism, examining how the Founders' belief in natural rights created a great American political tradition--one that now finds itself under threat, both from progressives and elements inside the Republican Party"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The founders' epistemological assertion : they knew what can be known -- The progressives' revision : an emancipation (from natural rights) proclamation -- Progressivism's institutional consequences : the presidency triumphant, the administrative state rampant, Congress dormant -- The judicial supervision of democracy : difficulties with the "counter-majoritarian difficulty" -- Political economy : rescuing the great enrichment from the fatal conceit -- Culture and opportunity : the scissors that shredded old convictions -- The aims of education : talents for praising and for pessimism -- Going abroad : a creedal nation in a world on probation -- Welcoming whirl : conservatism without theism -- Borne back : the quest for a useable past.