The Gray Area with Sean Illing The somewhat fractured state of American conservatism
Mar 25, 2019
Matthew Continetti, editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon, dives into the complexities of American conservatism. He discusses the influences of iconic figures like Reagan and Buckley, as well as the rising tension between neoconservatives and social conservatives. The conversation highlights Trump’s unique impact on the GOP, challenging traditional values and reshaping its identity. Continetti also delves into key books that illuminate the evolution of these ideologies, offering valuable insights into the conservative movement today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Conservatism as a Movement
- Conservatism is a movement, not just a set of ideas.
- This makes it challenging to define and leads to internal disagreements.
Defining Conservatism
- Defining conservatism is difficult due to internal factions and evolving definitions.
- Disagreements within conservatism represent vitality, not weakness.
Evolution of Neoconservatism
- Neoconservatism has evolved over time with different publications.
- The Public Interest focused on domestic policy, Commentary on foreign policy, and The Weekly Standard on neo-Reaganism.
