The American political landscape is often painted with broad strokes, and the terms "Republican," "conservative," and, more recently, "right-wing" are frequently used interchangeably. However, such imprecise language obscures crucial distinctions that are vital for understanding the current state of American politics. As someone who identifies as a conservative but not a Republican, and who finds their views often mischaracterized due to the rise of the MAGA movement, I believe it is essential to clarify these terms and advocate for greater accuracy in political discourse, particularly within the news media.
For me, conservatism represents a commitment to the foundational values of the United States. It is about upholding the separation of powers, defending the Constitution, and safeguarding individual liberty against potential tyranny, regardless of which party holds power. This is not to say conservatives necessarily favor liberal policies or presidents; rather, we expect Republican leadership to adhere to conservative principles.
Republicans, on the other hand, have increasingly become defined by their partisan allegiance, often prioritizing party loyalty over consistent adherence to core principles. Their views seem malleable, shifting to align with the prevailing sentiment within the party, even when it contradicts long-held conservative beliefs. This malleability is a significant departure from the traditional understanding of conservatism. A concerning example of this is the willingness of some Republicans to attack the American judicial system, a cornerstone of our checks and balances, while conservatives understand the importance of these checks and balances and would not attack such an institution.
The rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement has further blurred the lines between Republicans and conservatives. For many years, the Republican Party largely championed a conservative agenda. However, under Trump’s influence, the party has undergone a transformation, with MAGA taking hold and pushing it in directions that deviate significantly from traditional conservatism.
This new iteration of the Republican Party seems to thrive on partisan fervor, attracting individuals who prioritize loyalty to Trump and the party over adherence to political principles. When Trump’s actions clash with conservative values, the party often adjusts its platform to accommodate him, rather than holding him accountable to those principles.
Consider the issue of tariffs. Historically, conservatives have generally opposed tariffs, recognizing their potential to harm the economy and distort markets. Yet, many Republicans have readily embraced Trump’s tariff proposals, seemingly motivated by a desire to "own the libs" rather than a genuine belief in their economic merits. Similarly, while conservatives express concern about the potential consequences of Trump’s economic policies, many Republicans appear willing to downplay or disregard these concerns, further demonstrating their partisan allegiance over consistent principles.
At the heart of conservatism lies a recognition of the importance of guardrails that prevent both sides of the political spectrum from veering too far from the center. These guardrails include respect for the Constitution, adherence to the rule of law, and a commitment to civil discourse. By disregarding these restrictions on power, even when motivated by policy goals that align with conservative values, Republicans risk setting a precedent that could be exploited by future administrations with different agendas. There seems to be a belief among those currently in power that they will remain in power indefinitely, and that any violation of the Constitution can be justified by a supposedly just cause. This shortsightedness fails to account for the inevitable return of Democrats to power, who may then be tempted to emulate these same tactics.
Within the American right, there is a growing faction that has seemingly abandoned these core principles. This faction, often described as right-wing, pursues goals that are undoubtedly on the political right, but the means they are willing to employ to achieve those goals are often incompatible with conservative values.
It is crucial to distinguish between these right-wing elements and genuine conservatives. Unfortunately, the terms are often used interchangeably, particularly by those who are not deeply engaged with the nuances of the movement. Even I occasionally slip up and use "Republican" and "conservative" as synonyms.
This conflation of terms is problematic for several reasons. First and foremost, it is simply inaccurate. In the news media, we should strive to be technically correct when discussing political movements. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly for conservatives, it legitimizes the new right, associating it with our values, which is far from the truth. Just as the term "liberal" has been broadened to encompass the entirety of the American left, there is a risk that the term "conservative" will suffer a similar fate.
My allegiance is not to the Republican Party, but to the principles of conservatism. Therefore, it is deeply frustrating when the MAGA movement is labeled as conservative.
Political movements should be accurately described for what they are. The American right, in its current form, is not consistently pursuing conservative policies or acting in ways that safeguard our system of government. Pundits and members of the news media should take note of this fact and adjust their terminology to reflect the reality of the situation. Accurate labeling is vital for fostering informed public discourse and preventing the erosion of cherished principles.
