Last week, Michael Anton spoke at the Kirby Center (Hillsdale College’s outpost deep in the swamp). His lecture was titled, “The End of Conservatism and the Rebirth of Modern Politics.”
Anton argues that for the past decade or longer, modern conservatism could be defined thusly: #Always1980. It became an ossified movement, dedicated unironically to upholding an “ideology” of ends over which there could be no disagreement. Free trade, free markets, small government, American exceptionalism, and other such buzzwords were put in the place of serious thinking about connecting means to ends; principle had become confused with policy.
One of President Trump’s many virtues was to recognize the weaknesses of conservatism and return to the grand themes of politics: sovereignty, nationhood, prudence, and statesmanship. And thank God for it.
There’s a lot of wisdom and learning on display here. Please watch the whole thing.