We Have a Usable Past

The first National Conservatism conference was convened at the Ritz Carlton in Washington D.C. two weeks ago. It was a coming out party for the rising nationalist wing of the conservative movement, with attendees laying the groundwork for a more intellectual version of Trumpism. Many mainstream conservatives were in attendance, along with paleoconservatives, figures from the religious right, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, and a popular Fox News host. In the era of Trump, mainstream conservatism is making room for hardcore nationalists, economic populists, illiberal theocrats, and others—this conference was a chance for them to find common ground.

Matt and Sam discuss the conference, what it means for the present and future of conservative politics, and how the left can combat the nationalists' appeal—which is, in many ways, much more powerful than that of the dying Reaganite consensus.

Here's what we read and watched:

• Video and text of Senator Josh Hawley's speech
• Alexander Zaitchick's profile of Hawley in the New Republic.
• National Conservatism 2019 YouTube channel (videos of many but not all speeches)
• Zach Beauchamp's original write-up at Vox.
• NYT's write-up.
• Osita Nwanevu (New Yorker), Conservative Nationalism is Trumpism for Intellectuals
• Jacob Heilbrunn (NYRB), National Conservatism: Retrofitting Trump’s GOP with a Veneer of Ideas
• Daniel McCarthy's (TORY ANARCHIST) take.
• Damon Linker's contrarian take.
• David Walsh's take on the conference and fascism
• Douthat's NYT column.
• Daniel Luban's profile in the New Republic of Yoram Hazony.
• Criticism from the right: The Federalist and Jacobite takes.