The Intellectuals of the MAGA movement

Adrian Vermeule's "Common Good Constitutionalism" is a significant work in legal and political philosophy that challenges traditional liberal approaches to constitutional interpretation. Vermeule argues for a common good approach, emphasizing the importance of promoting the flourishing of the community as a whole. He criticizes the emphasis on individual rights and judicial review that he sees as characteristic of liberal constitutionalism. Vermeule's work has been highly influential within conservative legal circles but has also generated significant controversy. His ideas have been praised for their intellectual rigor and criticized for their potential to undermine individual liberties.

In 'Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future', Patrick Deneen presents a vision for a postliberal society, critiquing the current liberal order for eroding traditional social structures such as family, religion, and local community. Deneen argues that classical liberalism has created a self-serving elite that benefits at the expense of the working class. He proposes a new elite aligned with the interests of the working class, advocating for a mixed regime that combines elements of aristocracy and democracy. The book builds on his previous work, 'Why Liberalism Failed', and suggests a strategic formation of a new elite devoted to 'pre-postmodern conservatism' and the common good, particularly attentive to the voice and status of the working class.