Capitalism is what free people do. To most conservatives, both capitalism and freedom are anathema. From Anders Ingemarson at andersimgemarson.substack.com:
America needs conservatives that champion capitalism, not neo-progressive conservatives (NeoProgCons) taking the country in an authoritarian/theocratic direction
Please listen to, like and share my appearance with Blair and Martin on The Secular Foxhole podcast. I had a lot of fun and think you’ll enjoy it as well.
It’s no secret that conservatism has taken a decided turn for the worse in recent years. Conservative “thought leaders” such as Adrian Vermeule, Patrick Deneen, Sohrab Ahmari, Yoram Hazony and others are actively advocating for abandoning the Lockean foundation of the American experiment. They cite today’s secularizing, supposedly morally decaying society as evidence that individualism, respect for and protection of individual rights, limited government and capitalism have failed. They argue that the country should adopt a collectivist, authoritarian/theocratic model founded on integralism (removing the separation of church and state), common good constitutionalism (the common good of society, as defined by its rulers, trumps individual rights), and nationalism (the primacy of country over the individual). To achieve these goals, the argument goes, conservatives have to abandon decency and respect for individual rights in favor of using the tactics of leftist progressives, basically by adopting Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals for conservative ends. Say hello to the new progressive conservatives, or NeoProgCons. (For a comprehensive summary of the above (excluding the NeoProgCon label), see William Galston’s article in Persuasion)
Progressive conservatism is nothing new. Back in the late 19th/early 20th century, conservatives often espoused progressive values, primarily a belief in the experts of the administrative state acting as benevolent rulers applying scientific methods of government intervention to improve the life of the citizenry. Teddy Roosevelt is probably its most well-known representative, followed closely by Herbert Hoover. However, with their explicit support for integralism, today’s NeoProgCons appear to have taken progressive conservatism to the next level, adding a theocratic element to its authoritarian vision.
Tell me more about what exactly conservatives have conserved.
Their bank accounts?
The chamber of commerce golf course?
The greasy palm relations with donors?
Meanwhile the CPUSA (D) runs circles around them with culture and tribe issues.
“The best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves.”
Vladimir Lenin