Reading the New Conservatives
Richard Reinsch reviews The New Conservatives by Oren Cass.
We are now months into the second Trump presidency, one that is markedly different, with significant changes not only from how past Republican presidents have governed, but also from Trump’s first term. Trump’s first administration enacted sweeping tax cuts built on growth ideas that had been circulated and refined for decades in conservative circles. There was also a significant deregulatory component to this agenda. Tariffs were imposed on Chinese goods, but they were not applied globally. Today, things have changed, and in some cases, remarkably. There has been no shortage of justifications and defenses for the new policy changes, many of which the readers of Law & Liberty can no doubt recite on demand.
It is essential to consider the arguments of policy scholars who are advocating for a shift to a conservatism that advocates for government intervention. The New Conservatives, a book recently published by American Compass, the think tank headed by political economist and lawyer Oren Cass, comprises previously published essays by its scholars, with the lion’s share written by Cass. The book is decidedly protectionist, pro-industrial policy, pro-labor union, pro-family policy, and proposes a more robust alliance between Silicon Valley and the government. The message is clear: entitlements shouldn’t be cut, nor should current tax rates on any labor or activity be reduced. In fact, Cass has indicated that he favors increasing taxes on wealthy Americans.
Central ideas these “new conservatives” share guide the essays in the inevitable direction of greater government involvement in almost every policy area. Most importantly, they argue we shouldn’t focus on the consumer but on the worker, especially workers engaged in the manufacturing sector. From this shift in focus from the sovereignty of the consumer to the sovereignty of the worker emerges a policy platform that launches America into the throes of a conservative social democracy, twenty-first-century style. An increased focus on the family in the form of transfer payments also joins the focus on the worker.
Politics
%20Richard%20Samuelson%20%20-%20Is%20American%20Nationalism%20Still%20Creed-able_-1.jpg)
Is American Nationalism Still Creed-able?
We are not there now, but there is reason to worry that the United States is in danger, if we are not careful, of ceasing to be a nation with the principles of 1776 at its core.
National Civitas Institute Poll: Americans are Anxious and Frustrated, Creating a Challenging Environment for Leaders
The poll reveals a deeply pessimistic American electorate, with a majority convinced the nation is on the wrong track.
.webp)
%20(1).avif)
The G7 Is Failing To Address Global Imbalances
The G7 was not created to issue an endless procession of carefully calibrated communiqués.
Immigration Alone Won't Solve Canada's Population Decline
Rather than looking abroad for solutions, we should ensure young Canadians have a hopeful future
Can Britain’s Next Prime Minister Escape the Net Zero Trap?
Britain has burned through five Prime Ministers and is paying some of the highest electricity prices in the world.
The Scanner at the Gate: Europe’s China Policy Litmus Test
China’s industrial policy is entering Europe through public procurement—and reshaping sensitive markets from within.
Confronting the New Antisemitism
"The postwar effort 'to rebrand Judaism as a religion' has made it impossible for American Jews to understand what they are facing today, because what we are facing today is an attack on the idea of Jewish peoplehood.”
“Democratic” Socialism Is Undemocratic
By promoting class hatred, suppressing private initiative, and seeking enhanced control of our lives, today’s democratic socialists undermine patriotism and individual initiative—two qualities that have long distinguished the United States from other major nations.
