Conservative Questions

IN HIS manifesto “Conservatism for the People” [Sept. 3, 1990], Paul Weyrich challenges the political Right to reformulate its agenda—\until now largely an agenda of dissent—as a governing philosophy, with a “populist” (i.e., majoritarian) appeal.

Weyrich lists several prescriptions for a new conservative agenda, dealing with such social problems as poverty, education, crime, and drugs. I found myself comfortable with most of the elements in Weyrich’s proposal, but my optimism was shaken by one central inclusion and one pregnant omission. Together these undermine any majoritarian aspirations the agenda might have and, in my view, serve as an emblem of conservatism’s current impasse—the reason that many who finally become disgusted with liberalism still find themselves unable to cross the political battle lines to embrace a creed which otherwise, in their hearts, they know is right. I am referring to Weyrich’s inclusion of the “defense of the right to life” as a key element of his manifesto, and even more strikingly his omission of any mention of the subject of race.

DH

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David Horowitz

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IN HIS manifesto “Conservatism for the People” [Sept. 3, 1990], Paul Weyrich challenges the political Right to reformulate its agenda—\until now largely an agenda of dissent—as a governing philosophy, with a “populist” (i.e., majoritarian) appeal.

Weyrich lists several prescriptions for a new conservative agenda, dealing with such social problems as poverty, education, crime, and drugs. I found myself comfortable with most of the elements in Weyrich’s proposal, but my optimism was shaken by one central inclusion and one pregnant omission. Together these undermine any majoritarian aspirations the agenda might have and, in my view, serve as an emblem of conservatism’s current impasse—the reason that many who finally become disgusted with liberalism still find themselves unable to cross the political battle lines to embrace a creed which otherwise, in their hearts, they know is right. I am referring to Weyrich’s inclusion of the “defense of the right to life” as a key element of his manifesto, and even more strikingly his omission of any mention of the subject of race.