The Strange Case of Tory Anarchism

An examination of British culture, this remarkable account delves into George Orwell’s idea of a Tory Anarchist–someone who is concurrently a radical and a traditionalist. Filled with humorous extracts and quotes, this record explores–from Jonathan Swift to contemporary personalities–the definition of Orwell’s term, which is filled with contradictions: Tory anarchists celebrate Britain’s class system but condemn all classes for their role in Britain’s decline; they believe in the idiosyncratic qualities of the British while mocking their hypocrisy, stupidity, philistinism, and vulgarity. Well researched and extremely amusing, this meditation touches upon a variety of topics, including politics, literature, and social history.