Populist Conservatism and Constitutional Order: A Modern Reflection

Imprimis, the monthly speech digest from Hillsdale College, has long been a beacon for conservative thought, and in Volume 53, Number 10, it brings forth a significant piece titled “Populist Conservatism and Constitutional Order” by Kevin D. Roberts, President of The Heritage Foundation. This article serves as a clarion call for a return to constitutional principles through a conservative populist lens, critiquing the disconnect between elite institutions and the American populace.

The Core Argument by Kevin Roberts:

Roberts argues that American conservatism is at a pivotal moment, where the nation must combat not just external threats but the internal decay fostered by elite institutions that have strayed from serving the public interest. He advocates for a “controlled burn” of these institutions, emphasizing a need for defunding, disbanding, and disempowering entities like the Department of Homeland Security, the EPA, and the FBI, which he perceives as having become anti-constitutional and anti-American.

Roberts’ vision of conservatism is one where populist energy is harnessed with conservative principles to defend the American family, national sovereignty, and the constitutional order against an elite establishment that no longer represents the nation’s values or interests.

Complementary Sources and Perspectives:

  • Angelo Codevilla’s “The Ruling Class”: Often cited alongside Roberts’ work, Codevilla’s essay from 2010 provides a backdrop for understanding the emergence of populist conservatism. He describes a ruling class that has distanced itself from the American people, leading to a broad-based reaction against this elite. This resonates with Roberts’ call for dismantling and reforming these institutions.
  • Patrick J. Buchanan’s “Suicide of a Superpower”: Buchanan echoes the sentiment of cultural decay and the need for national revival, emphasizing the importance of cultural homogeneity and national identity, themes that Roberts also touches upon in his critique of current immigration policies and cultural shifts.
  • Victor Davis Hanson’s “The Case for Trump”: Hanson provides an analysis of Trump’s presidency as a manifestation of populist conservatism, which parallels Roberts’ advocacy for a leader who breaks from traditional political norms to reconnect with the electorate. Hanson’s work emphasizes how Trump’s policies aimed at “draining the swamp” and focusing on the middle class align with Roberts’ thesis.

Modern Issues Facing Americans:

  • Economic Disparity: The widening gap between the rich and everyone else fuels populist sentiments. Roberts’ call for an economic policy that favors the average American over globalist agendas finds support in current economic critiques, where the middle class feels squeezed by both corporate and governmental policies.
  • Cultural Identity: The debate over what it means to be American in an increasingly globalized world is central to both Roberts’ argument and the broader discourse. This includes discussions on immigration, education, and the cultural wars over values and traditions.
  • Government Overreach: Concerns about surveillance, censorship, and the expansion of governmental powers against the spirit of the Constitution highlight Roberts’ warnings. This is evident in debates around privacy, free speech, and the role of federal agencies.
  • National Debt and Security: Roberts points out the unsustainable national debt and the prioritization of interest payments over defense as a critique of current fiscal policy, which dovetails with national conversations about America’s role on the world stage and its economic health.

Famous Quotes from U.S. Constitution Founders:

  • James Madison: “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”
  • Thomas Jefferson: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
  • Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”

These quotes underscore the founders’ fears of centralized power and the erosion of liberties, themes that resonate with Roberts’ and other contemporary conservative thinkers’ critiques of modern governance.

Conclusion:

Kevin Roberts’ piece in Imprimis, alongside other influential works, frames a narrative where American conservatism must adapt to serve the people by returning to constitutional roots. This involves not just a political realignment but a cultural and economic one, ensuring that governance reflects the will and welfare of the American populace.

References:

The Case for Trump: By Victor Davis Hanson.

Imprimis Volume 53, Number 10: “Populist Conservatism and Constitutional Order” by Kevin D. Roberts.

The Ruling Class: How They Corrupted America and What We Can Do About It by Angelo Codevilla.

Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025? by Patrick J. Buchanan.