The US’s conservative turn: What it means for the world

In recent years, American conservatism has been undergoing a profound and complex transformation. This shift is not only changing the domestic political landscape in the US but is also sparking widespread reflection globally.

For a long time, American conservatism has been characterised by moderation, free-market economics and the limitation of government power. However, since Donald Trump’s election as president in 2016, a new force known as the “alt-right” has rapidly emerged.

This faction has increasingly displayed nationalist and authoritarian tendencies, which worsened after Trump left office in 2021. Academics and the media have labelled this trend “national conservatism”. This form of American conservatism is challenging the dominance of traditional conservatism.

The beginnings of American conservatism can be traced back to the 1930s, during Roosevelt’s New Deal era. At that time, conservatives joined forces with classical liberals to oppose the federal government’s expansion of power through the New Deal.

During the Cold War, American conservatism emphasised free-market economics and capitalism, which were used as tools to establish ideological opposition to the Soviet Union. However, the Cold War victory did not solidify conservatism; rather, it exposed the shortcomings of economic liberalism and neoconservatism in addressing social crises in the US.

The disintegration of communities, worsening drug problems and the decline of religious ethics weakened the social foundation of conservatism, providing an opportunity for the rise of national conservatism.

National conservatism differs from traditional conservatism because it emphasises the importance of social bonds, opposes excessive individualism and multiculturalism, and advocates for social unity based on shared culture and norms.

National conservatives view the US as an independent national economy, rather than an abstract entity within a globalised economy. In terms of immigration policy, they emphasise cultural assimilation, and in economic policy, they resist the excessive influence of multinational corporations. This shift directly challenges neoliberalism’s core principles and seeks to rebuild social order to address deep-seated contradictions in American society.

This ideological transformation is not accidental; it coincides with socio-economic changes and updates in academic thought. In 2018, American political scientist Patrick J. Deneen published Why Liberalism Failed, offering a profound critique of liberalism. He argued that while liberalism emphasises individual freedom, it undermines community culture and the human spirit, leading to the atomisation of society and a sense of individual isolation. Deneen’s views provided theoretical support for national conservatism and helped to spread this ideology within American society.

The rise of the alt-right has not just been an intellectual breakthrough — it has also been accompanied by practical action. By funding political movements and advocating for radical reforms, tech leaders like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk have become key drivers of national conservatism. They criticise the flaws of modernity and liberal democratic systems and advocate for federal government restructuring to break free from the constraints of the current system. They feel the collective interests of society should take precedence over the unconditional expansion of individual freedom, a philosophy they believe better aligns with what is needed for the long-term development of American society.

The rise of national conservatism is closely tied to the broad social crisis in the US. The impact of globalisation on manufacturing, the intensification of culture wars, and rising crime rates have caused many voters to lose confidence in traditional conservatives. At the same time, the decline in the population share of white Americans of European descent and the increase in foreign immigration have further exacerbated the identity crisis in the US. Against this backdrop, national conservatism fills a political space that traditional conservatism cannot address.

This ideological trend also reflects the inherent contradictions of the American democratic system. Over the past few decades, the weakening of social organisations and civic autonomy has caused traditional democratic institutions to lose their social foundation. While the internet and social media have strengthened virtual connections, they cannot replace real-world community relationships. This shift in social structure has led to populism in elections, social polarisation, and the entertainment of politics. National conservatism not only reveals internal contradictions within the US; it also poses a significant challenge to liberalism in the context of globalisation. It calls for rebuilding social stability and a sense of belonging by strengthening state power and communal awareness.

Liberalism was once seen as the ultimate goal of modern politics, but its limitations have become increasingly evident. The rise of national conservatism reflects the deep crisis in the US, but it also offers an important opportunity for reflection on global social governance. In the face of the dual impacts of globalisation and individualism, reconstructing social order and balancing the relationship between freedom and community will be key issues for future political thought. This is not just a challenge the US must confront — it also provides new paths and insights for social governance globally.

This article was first published in Lianhe Zaobao as “美国保守主义的深层嬗变”.

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