Is Conservatism Dead?

By Chris | Monday, May 19th, 2008 | Catch-All

In a word, no. 

However, I still recommend that everyone read this highly compelling article in the New Yorker regarding the state of the conservative movement.  While I think it paints a bleaker picture than is necessarily the case, there is some stark analysis in there from conservatives of all stripes. This quote rang particularly true: “Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.”

Can there be any doubt that, for some, conservatism has devolved into nothing more than a convenient vehicle for self-promotion?

Personally, I don’t buy into the idea that Conservatism is dead.  Heck, even Communism still survives today.  Indeed there are many bright and active conservatives out there today working diligently on behalf of their deeply held beliefs.  However, I do believe that the conservative movement as a whole is desperately in need of a transfusion.  New blood, new ideas and a new purpose will be required if conservatism is to remain a relevant political force in the 21st century.

This particular article is compelling for a couple of reasons.  First, it gives us a brief, though mostly negative, glimpse at the rise of conservatism in Presidential politics since 1968.  It is a fascinating tale, and a successful one.  Beyond the history, however, the article aims to delve into just what has caused that success to slip away, what form the movement now takes, and what it may require to cure whatever ails it.

The article is certainly a lot to digest and there will doubtless be a range of opinions about its validity.  However, rather than dismissing this piece as just another example of wishful thinking by the liberal media, I think we ought to instead use it as motivation. 

It is past time for conservatives to wake up and realize how complacent we have become.  It is absolutely necessary that we not rest on the success of others and continue to recycle the same shopworn ideas.  We cannot win by shouting the same old things over and over and then, when we lose, claiming that it was because we didn’t shout loud enough.   Simply put, it is not 1976 and Ronald Reagan is not walking through that door.

Conservatism ain’t dead, but the ship isn’t going to right itself, either.  I am certain that there are many out there who agree that changes are needed.  I am just hoping it doesn’t require living through another Johnson or Carter administration before we decide to take action.

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