The Good Fight The Conservative Case for Philosophical Liberalism
Jan 15, 2022
Harvey Mansfield, a prominent conservative thinker and professor at Harvard, joins Yascha Mounk to dissect the nuances of American liberalism. They discuss Donald Trump's impact on conservatism and explore Alexis de Tocqueville's timeless insights regarding democracy and individualism. The conversation highlights the tension between democratic ideals and the prevalence of political vulgarity, while also critiquing modern conservatism's challenges. Additionally, they consider strategies for restoring open discourse and fostering connections among voters across the political spectrum.
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Conservative Liberalism
- Conservatives should uphold Locke's liberalism: toleration and private property.
- These principles, protected by constitutionalism, form a basis for a two-party system.
The Illusion of Control
- Both progressives and some conservatives wrongly assume unconstrained government will favor them.
- Constitutionalism protects against majority tyranny, which can resemble the common good.
Trump as Demagogue
- Trump is a demagogue driven by a desire to be loved, not conviction.
- He opportunistically hijacked the Republican Party, but his ideology is contingent.
