Historical Roots of Traditionalism
Traditionalism, as emphasized by scholars like Flavio R. Hickel Jr. and Andrew R. Murphy, reaches back to various ancient philosophies and religious doctrines that underline the importance of transcendent and unchanging truth (Hickel & Murphy, 2022). Its historical roots are entwined with the core belief in perennial wisdom or philosophia perennis. This wisdom, argued to be common to all great civilizations, forms the bedrock of the traditionalist doctrine as elaborated by prominent figures like Réné Guénon, Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, and Frithjof Schuon. These intellectuals saw modernity as a departure from the primordial spiritual truths that governed pre-modern societies. Guénon, especially, lamented the 'reign of quantity' over qualitative value, which, in his view, marked the decline of the West (Guénon, 2004c).
The evolution of Traditionalism can be traced through the momentous works of these key figures. Guénon's earlier works, such as “East and West,” set the stage by highlighting the dichotomy between traditional societies, characterized by their adherence to sacred principles, and the modern Western world, which he perceived as being lost in secularism and materialism (Guénon, 2004a). Coomaraswamy and Schuon furthered this critique, diving deeper into the metaphysical frameworks of various world religions, elucidating their shared core tenets and thereby fostering a sense of unity among diverse traditionalist strains (Schuon, 1979).
The seminal paper by Duckitt et al. on “A Tripartite Approach to Right-Wing Authoritarianism” offers an analytical framework that nuances the understanding of Traditionalism, dividing the concept into authoritarianism, conservatism, and traditionalism as distinct but interrelated ideological attitudes (Duckitt et al., 2010). This tripartite model emphasizes that the socio-political manifestations of Traditionalism, particularly in right-wing authoritarian movements, cannot be separated from their underpinning values. These movements draw upon the Traditionalist critique of modernity but often diverge by engaging in an arguably selective and pragmatic application of traditional doctrines.
Furthermore, Traditionalism's evolution has seen it impact various domains, such as the arts, education, and politics, as evidenced by its appropriation by certain right-wing factions in contemporary political landscapes (Hickel & Murphy, 2022). Such interactions with modern structures illustrate Traditionalism’s adaptability, but it also presents an inherent tension within the traditionalist framework: reconciling the immutable truths of primordial tradition with the ever-changing nature of the sociopolitical environment.
The historical roots of Traditionalism are diverse and complex, firmly rooted in the search for transcendental truths that counteract the secular materialism of the modern era. The interplay of these ideas within various societal domains showcases the dynamic evolution of Traditionalist thought and its ongoing significance in intellectual and political discourse.