New Edition of Kirk’s “The Politics of Prudence” Forthcoming

The Kirk Center is delighted to announce that a 30th Anniversary Edition of Russell Kirk’s popular book, The Politics of Prudence, is forthcoming from Regnery Publishing with a new introduction by Dr. Michael Federici.

An understanding of the classical virtue of prudence as practical wisdom, the capacity of choosing the right means to attain worthy ends, is much neglected in our time. It is the virtue most needed in the statesman. If the tradition of prudential politics has fallen on hard times, its comeback might well begin in the pages of this book. 

Distinguishing political prudence from ideology, Kirk examines ten principles, events, books, and thinkers that have shaped the conservative mind and heart. The final chapter examines the shortcomings of democracy throughout the world and the need for representative government conducted by temperate and thoughtful men and women. In a stirring epilogue, Kirk calls the rising generation to the defense of order—both the moral order and the social order, the order of the soul and the order of society—against the enemies of justice, freedom, and a high culture. 

 Advanced orders may be placed now. The anticipated publication date is October 3, 2023.

More From Our Highlights & News

Hope College Students Consider “The Human Condition”

The Tocqueville Forum of Hope College enjoyed a wonderful seminar at the Kirk Center from October 24 to 26 considering “The Human Condition.” Seminar speakers included Kirk Center Senior Fellows Gleaves Whitney and Jeff Polet, Cara Rogers (Asst. Professor of History,...

Interns Engage with Conservative Principles

Each summer, the Kirk Center welcomes a group of interns from the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty to an intellectual retreat to focus on first principles. This July, Acton interns gathered in the Kirk library for a seminar titled "Politics,...

Graduate Students Discuss “Liberty and Liberal Education”

On April 22 - 25, graduate students invited by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute met at the Kirk Center for a conference on “Liberty and Liberal Education,” co-sponsored by Liberty Fund, Inc. They examined the connection between liberty and liberal education, with...

Seminar Explores Shakespeare’s Plutarch

On March 25 - 27, Hillsdale College students gathered for a seminar at the Kirk Center on the topic: “If You Have Writ Your Annals True: Plutarchan Lives and Shakespearian Tragedies.” Students read aloud selections from the plays Coriolanus and Julius Caesar, as well...