Tradition in a Modern World (Cato Unbound Book 12011)

In this month's lead essay, political theorist Russell Arben Fox sounds a cautionary note. Traditions have always evolved, he argues; there is no pristine, fully authentic past out there to be found. The way to honor the past, he suggests, is to be conscious of it, yes, but also of the world in which we live today. Traditionalism is an exercise in creative deployment, not just in today's world, but always.

Is he right? Obviously, we are dealing with questions that involve culture as much as politics. To help sort them out, we have invited journalist and blogger Eve Tushnet, historian John Fea, and doctoral candidate in government James Poulos, also influential as the founder of the blog Postmodern Conservative.