Esteemed political theorist Michael Oakeshott has had a profound influence on political discussion, especially in his critique of rational thought. In his essay, “Rationalism In Politics and Other Essays,” Oakeshott takes a particular look at a purely rationalist political thinker, arguing that practical knowledge must not be entirely pushed aside by those in favor of technical knowledge in politics. In the critique, Oakeshott also jabs at another prominent political philosopher, Friedrich Hayek. Hayek’s works are filled with criticism of governments which interfere with an individual’s economic freedom and liberty, yet he seems to show some contradiction in his assertions, as pointed out by Oakeshott. In doing so, Oakeshott argues that since
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He summarizes these thoughts in saying, “a plan to resist all planning may be better than its opposite, but it belongs to the same style of politics” (Oakeshott, 26). This is an accurate assessment of anti-planning politics, and its legitimacy can be observed in Robert Heinlein’s The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, where the revolutionaries in the novel implement a noticeably oppressive government in an attempt to do away with such oppression. Heinlein’s novel is a narrative on how a revolution may come about from this anti-government political ideology, and the results of such a revolution are evidence of Oakeshott’s credible thoughts on rationalism and its role in politics. Oakeshott continuously ridicules the superfluous presence of rationalism in politics in his essay. Among his claims, …show more content…
This is primarily due to its government, the Authority (an extension of the government on Terra), forcing all business and trade to go through government administration. In the words of the narrator, Mannie, “Luna was only open prison in history. No bars, no guards, no rules- and no need for them” (Heinlein, 23). Without any laws or official governance, the people are free, yet it is the absence of economic freedom which ultimately calls the need for revolution in the minds of the political activists (being the three main characters, Mannie, Wyoming, and Prof, and their supercomputer partner, Mike). In response to the oppressive nature of the Authority, Wyoming explains, “Here in Luna we’re rich. Three million hardworking, smart, skilled people, enough water, plenty of everything, endless power, endless cubic… what we don’t have is a free market. We must get rid of the Authority!”(Heinlein, 31). Seeing the potential Luna has as a free state, Wyoming considers the benefits of starting a revolution. With the power that Mike possesses, the revolutionaries are able to rise up and overthrow the Authority that supposedly
He summarizes these thoughts in saying, “a plan to resist all planning may be better than its opposite, but it belongs to the same style of politics” (Oakeshott, 26). This is an accurate assessment of anti-planning politics, and its legitimacy can be observed in Robert Heinlein’s The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, where the revolutionaries in the novel implement a noticeably oppressive government in an attempt to do away with such oppression. Heinlein’s novel is a narrative on how a revolution may come about from this anti-government political ideology, and the results of such a revolution are evidence of Oakeshott’s credible thoughts on rationalism and its role in politics. Oakeshott continuously ridicules the superfluous presence of rationalism in politics in his essay. Among his claims, …show more content…
This is primarily due to its government, the Authority (an extension of the government on Terra), forcing all business and trade to go through government administration. In the words of the narrator, Mannie, “Luna was only open prison in history. No bars, no guards, no rules- and no need for them” (Heinlein, 23). Without any laws or official governance, the people are free, yet it is the absence of economic freedom which ultimately calls the need for revolution in the minds of the political activists (being the three main characters, Mannie, Wyoming, and Prof, and their supercomputer partner, Mike). In response to the oppressive nature of the Authority, Wyoming explains, “Here in Luna we’re rich. Three million hardworking, smart, skilled people, enough water, plenty of everything, endless power, endless cubic… what we don’t have is a free market. We must get rid of the Authority!”(Heinlein, 31). Seeing the potential Luna has as a free state, Wyoming considers the benefits of starting a revolution. With the power that Mike possesses, the revolutionaries are able to rise up and overthrow the Authority that supposedly