Avik Roy, co-founder of the Freedom Cons, joins Dan Crenshaw to discuss conservatism and the divergence of the New Right. They cover trade, industrial policy, government intervention, foreign policy, and immigration. They also explore the division between NatCons and freedom cons, the role of religion in conservatism, and the generational divide in perceptions of America's role in the world.
Freedom conservatism promotes individual liberty, free markets, and limited government to advance equality of opportunity.
Freedom conservatives prioritize American leadership in a peaceful and free world, supporting strategic alliances and partnerships.
Freedom conservatives advocate for presenting an alternative to nationalist conservatism, emphasizing the importance of policy solutions and nuanced thinking.
Deep dives
The Principles of Freedom Conservatism
Freedom conservatism emphasizes the value of individual liberty and limited government intervention in the economy. It promotes free market principles as a means to cut costs and build a strong economy. The movement advocates for a return to fiscal responsibility and adherence to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of a colorblind America. The focus is on using free markets to advance equality of opportunity, rather than equality of outcome. The principles emphasize that economic liberty is crucial for human flourishing.
The Debate between National Conservatives and Freedom Conservatives
The podcast episode explores the differences between national conservatives and freedom conservatives. National conservatives prioritize more government involvement in markets, with a skepticism towards free markets and individual liberty. They advocate for a European-style nationalism and are skeptical of legal immigration. On the other hand, freedom conservatives champion the value of free markets, individual liberty, and limited government. They argue that government should not have the power to reward its friends or punish its enemies. Freedom conservatives aim to renew and rejuvenate the Reagan-Buckley coalition by emphasizing the importance of freedom in conservative principles.
Foreign Policy and Economic Freedom
The podcast touches on foreign policy and the economic freedom viewpoint. Freedom conservatives support American leadership in a peaceful and free world, upholding individual liberty and respecting the sovereignty of other nations. They believe in the benefits of alliances, like NATO, and the importance of supporting freedom around the world. While some nationalists push for isolationism, freedom conservatives argue that American interests are best served when the United States leads the free world and defends its values. They emphasize the need for prudent action in response to global challenges and support for strategic alliances and partnerships.
The Difference between Nationalists and Freedom Conservatives
The podcast discusses the differences between nationalists and freedom conservatives. Nationalists focus on populism and the idea of being against the left, advocating for a nationalist form of conservatism. However, freedom conservatives argue that there is a longer tradition of pro-freedom conservatism in America that is rooted in the principles of the founding. The podcast highlights the importance of presenting an alternative to the nationalist narrative, especially for young people who may only be exposed to the nationalist form of conservatism. It also points out that the emotional appeal of populism lies in telling people what they want to hear rather than presenting the truth.
The Challenges of Populism and Policy
The podcast delves into the challenges of populism and the need for clear policy solutions. It highlights the risks of simplistic, black-and-white thinking on complex issues, common in populist movements. The podcast emphasizes the importance of not only opposing the elites but also considering what one stands for and how to fix the challenges faced by ordinary people. It criticizes the nationalist movement for relying solely on government as the solution to societal problems and emphasizes the importance of a collective effort among politicians, activists, and individuals to create meaningful change. The conversation also touches on the importance of contextualized education, nuance, and understanding history when forming opinions and making policy decisions.
What does conservatism mean? What principles do we stand for? And what vision for conservatism is most aligned with both America’s founding and its future? Avik Roy joined Rep. Crenshaw to answer these questions and look at how the New Right has diverged in favor of populism and nationalism. They steelman and respond to all the major arguments of the New Right on trade and industrial policy, government intervention, foreign policy, and immigration.
Avik Roy recently co-founded the Freedom Conservatism project to address these questions and give us a Statement of Principles to guide the future of the conservative movement. Read their statement here: www.freedomconservatism.org/
Avik Roy is the President and Co-founder of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. He is the principal author of The Apothecary (the Forbes blog on health care policy and entitlement reform), as well as author of Transcending Obamacare: A Patient-Centered Plan for Near-Universal Coverage and Permanent Fiscal Solvency (2014) and How Medicaid Fails the Poor (2013). His research interests include the Affordable Care Act, universal coverage, entitlement reform, international health systems, veterans’ health care, and FDA policy.
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