Rationalism in Politics - Classic Text | Alexandria
Rationalism in Politics (1962), Michael Oakeshott's seminal collection of essays, stands as a profound critique of rationalism in modern political thought and governance. This work, emerging from the fertile intellectual ground of post-war Britain, represents Oakeshott's most comprehensive challenge to the rationalistic tendency in political philosophy that had dominated Western thought since the Enlightenment.
The genesis of these essays can be traced to Oakeshott's experiences during the tumultuous period between the 1930s and 1950s, when he witnessed the rise of totalitarian ideologies and technocratic governance. As a professor at the London School of Economics (1951-1969), Oakeshott developed his ideas in response to the prevailing belief that politics could be reduced to a series of technical problems with rational solutions. The collection, first published in disparate journals and later compiled into a single volume, emerged as a powerful counterpoint to the scientific rationalism that characterized much of twentieth-century political thought.
At its core, "Rationalism in Politics" argues against the notion that political wisdom can be distilled into a set of universal principles or technical rules. Oakeshott introduces the crucial distinction between "technical" and "practical" knowledge, asserting that political activity requires practical wisdom that cannot be reduced to mere technique. His exploration of topics ranging from education to morality consistently emphasizes the importance of tradition, practice, and inherited wisdom over abstract reasoning. The work's enduring influence lies in its elegant defense of conservative skepticism and its sophisticated critique of political engineering.
The legacy of "Rationalism in Politics" continues to resonate in contemporary political discourse, particularly in debates about technocracy, expertise, and the limits of rational planning in governance. Oakeshott's insights have proven remarkably prescient in an age of big data and algorithmic decision-making, where the temptation to reduce political judgment to technical calculation remains strong. Modern scholars continue to engage with his ideas, finding in them resources for critiquing both progressive rationalism and conservative ideology. The work stands as a testament to the enduring tension between rational planning and practical wisdom in political life, inviting readers to question whether the complexity of human society can ever be fully captured by rational systems of thought.