Book · 1962 · Philosophy
Rationalism in Politics
And Other Essays
Why people recommend it
Rationalism in Politics by Michael Oakeshott is a collection of influential essays exploring the nature of political thought, conservative philosophy, and the limits of rationalist planning in human institutions. Speaking on The Ezra Klein Show in an episode titled Why the Pentagon Wants to Destroy Anthropic released on March 6, 2026, Dean Ball highlighted this work during the concluding book recommendation segment. Specifically, Dean Ball recommended Rationalism in Politics by Michael Oakeshott as one of his top three book recommendations at the end of the interview. He drew particular attention to the individual essays contained within the volume, noting Rationalism and Politics and On Being Conservative as especially noteworthy parts of Oakeshott's broader philosophical project. By elevating these specific texts, the speaker pointed toward a skeptical tradition in political theory that questions utopian blueprints and emphasizes traditional practices, localized knowledge, and institutional continuity. This brief yet pointed endorsement served to direct listeners toward foundational conservative and anti-rationalist critiques during a wide-ranging conversation about technology, government institutions, and contemporary sociopolitical dynamics on the podcast.
Who recommended it
- Dean Ball Recommended
Dean Ball — 1 mention
“Rationalism in Politics by Michael Oakeshott, and in particular the essays Rationalism and Politics and On Being Conservative.”