Matthew Continetti is an authority on the American Right. You could say he wrote the book on it, namely, The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism. He is my latest guest on Q&A — here. We talk, specifically, about the Ukraine war and the American Right. The Right has undergone a significant shift in foreign policy, and in its view of America’s place in the world. Of course, it has undergone shifts in many areas.
Continetti knows the history backwards and forwards. The players, the events, the nuances.
In our Q&A, he talks about America First. William F. Buckley Jr. The conspiracy theorists. Democrats such as Charles Krauthammer, who left their party in disgust (particularly over foreign policy). Patrick J. Buchanan. The “horseshoe theory” of politics. The new media, and the changes these media wrought in our politics.
Question: What holds the disparate elements of today’s Right together, if anything does? In former times, it was anti-Communism that held the Right together (and a general affection for freedom). Now? I would vote for detestation of political correctness (a very important thing to detest). “Anti-wokism” is, in a sense, the religion of the Right.
But what about economics? A free economy? The size and scope of government? Foreign policy, national security, America’s place? The role of immigration in our national story? The importance of character, or virtue, in public life (or other life)? Personal responsibility?
Not only does Matt Continetti speak authoritatively in this podcast of ours. He also speaks movingly, especially toward the end of the show. Most Americans love America, he says. Not all of America is online, 24/7. Not all of America is “high on rage” (to borrow an expression I learned from Kevin Williamson). Most Americans still believe in American exceptionalism. And most still support the Ukrainians, as they try to repel an invader bent on destroying them.
Anyway, you can hear all this for yourself — again, here. An hour or so with Continetti is an education and a pleasure.