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Roger Scruton – The Future of European Civilization: Lessons for America

The Heritage Foundation

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~A Russell Kirk Lecture at The Heritage Foundation’s B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics~

America has much to learn from Europe’s current condition. The decline in religious faith has led to a universal weakening of European society and a loss of confidence in the value of its civilization. The effects have been grave: throngs of unassimilated immigrants, military threats from abroad, and confusion about national identity. America, by contrast, still shows many signs of strength. Nonetheless, should we lose our sense of shared identity, Europe’s path likely awaits. What can Americans learn from Europe? Does America have hidden strengths which, if properly used, will allow us to avoid a similar fate? And are there areas in which Europe is faring better than we are?

A published version of Scruton’s lecture can be found at https://www.heritage.org/europe/repor...

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20 Comments

@TheHeritageFoundation Creator 6 years ago Pinned

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@beatsyndrom 7 years ago

Can't help but tell my private story to illustrate a point. I was born to Turkish migrants in Germany in 1980 and have gone through a deep change concerning my complete world view. From questioning my belief as a shiate Muslim, to wondering about Europe and its culture, to mass migration into European cities and the questions about multiculturism. I had beliefs that were anti a lot of things. But things have shifted in my mind and heart a lot. Europe needs to defend itself. Its beliefs and culture, its history and the common legislative law, to maintaining to be a thing in the world and for its native population and generations to come. Something that so many other cultures from around the world look at with awe and respect when thinking about Europe. It can't and mustn't go down in cultural relativism. That would be the end of something incredibly noble, beautiful and unique in the world. No other culture and country in the world would allow the things to have happen to itself what has been happening in Europe.

@perseusrex614 7 years ago

As I Greek, I can not stress this enough to my American brothers and sisters. DO EVERYTHING THE OPPOSITE OF EUROPE, EVERYTHING!!

@lucasbogaerts 6 years ago

Rest in Peace, Roger Scruton.

@jamesstuartbrice420 7 years ago (edited)

Despite what Scruton says, Europeans are destroying much of their architectural treasures. Sometimes they protect their architecture, but often they destroy it. In small towns across Europe the historic buildings are often torn down to put up modern department stores or other buildings of commercial interest. The modernistic movement has greatly changed their cities and led to destruction of historical buildings. Large numbers of historical buildings in London have been replaced by skyscrapers. There does not seem to be much motivation on the part of elites to solve the problem of mass immigration. In the US neither major party seems willing to stop this. At least Trump's attempts through foreign policy and executive orders is an effort to stop the migration, but so far they have not had must success. Valuing the nation seems to be treated as a form of bigotry.

@mariaa.9952 6 years ago

Such a loss for the world, that he is no longer with us. He was such an genius......such an elegant soul.
R.I.P Roger Scruton. 😕

@antheairenedevilliers1657 7 years ago

This is what intelligent and civilised discussion is supposed to look like. A pleasure to listen to. No screeching and savagery!!

@kylen4701 7 years ago

The UK will be essentially finished in a decade. It's done. Don't go gently into that good night though...

@peterc9153 7 years ago

Isaiah 3:12 "My people, children are your oppressors and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you, and they have swallowed up the course of thy paths".
Scripture has always been ahead of humanity since the beginning. God knows whence from we came and where we are going.

@michaelpearl5269 6 years ago

Sir Roger, may he Rest In Peace, is as current today as ever. And another European light has gone out.

@willyupshaw 7 years ago

"Our landscapes and townscapes are dear to us." People don't seem to upset that Notre Dame burned down.

@wasabimanic 7 years ago

WE are continually using the term Islamophobia. When the far FAR greater phobia and its attendent violent intolerance, in both geographic and historical terms is INFIDELOPHOBIA...... The "phobia " WE are not PERMITTED to express.

@ThePdeHav 7 years ago

Rights were presumed to follow duties to country and community, originally.

@dunuth 7 years ago

Watching this in 2019 is quite an experience

@charltonmc 4 years ago

How right he was then 6 years ago Only now it is undeniably obvious and only after Sir Roger’s death sadly.
R.I.P. Sir Roger

@jimdandy9671 9 years ago

How sad, Scruton the audience even myself by the end of his talk all seemed resigned to the imminent collapse of Western society...WTF!
We need to adopt the Tommy Robinson spirit.

@ldrjohnson6705 7 years ago

Why doesn't Europe take South Africans that are in harms way, they are connected to both Americans and Europe

@DesideriusE 7 years ago

Thank goodness for his voice of sanity.

@daniellebcooper7160 4 years ago

Now that we're in 2021, how right he was.

@awuma 5 years ago (edited)

Superb lecture, so many provocative ideas, to agree or disagree with (plenty of both). Things have changed a bit in the five years since this lecture... now, it is America which is in trouble, and Europe stands better.