Posted on 12/30/2021 5:21:59 AM PST by Kaslin
For decades, those inclined toward free markets have focused on authoritarianism coming from the political left. We have spared no energy denouncing and opposing it. We've rightfully been concerned about the push to centralize more power in the hands of federal governments and to increase the scope and size of all government. We have warned that these policies, pursued consistently, pave what the great F.A. Hayek called "the road to serfdom."
This fight should continue. However, it's time to be equally harsh toward those on the Right who want to use state power to control individuals' choices and destroy those with whom they disagree. In America, this illiberalism was visible in many of the policies pushed by former President Donald Trump, including industrial policies riddled with favoritism and hostility to foreign workers and immigrants. It peaked during the last months of his presidency with claims of stolen elections and other conspiracy theories.
Sadly, this right-wing illiberalism has continued with Trump allies pressuring election officials to reverse the result of the 2020 election, and it's found plenty of advocates in Congress. With some exceptions, the Republican Party has turned away from free-market ideas and embraced what can best be described as central planning: more government handouts; a continued affection for crony privileges -- including protective tariffs -- bestowed on its favorite industries; and a newfound opposition to free speech and enthusiasm for hyperactive antitrust campaigns against industries it doesn't like.
Illiberalism has also taken root among many conservative intellectuals. While there have always been different strains of thinking among neoconservatives, populists and other thought leaders on the Right, these groups increasingly define themselves by their opposition to the Left while endorsing policies that are just as terrible.
Certain thinkers would even like to see the government impose a kind of religious order. As Kevin Vallier explained at The UnPopulist Substack, a few have begun embracing the doctrine of "Catholic integralism," which includes ideas that "all political and legal authority comes from God" and that the Church can "call on the state to help advance its mission by directing the state to impose civil punishments for violating church law, such as punishing heretics, among other things."
While this development is alarming on its own, it carries an additional danger. As Shikha Dalmia and Arthur Melzer argued, if the Right uses the illiberalism of the Left to justify its own -- as happened in post-World War I Weimar Germany -- America would risk falling into authoritarianism.
Unfortunately, the rise of right-wing authoritarianism isn't unique to America. It's taking root in many countries, including Sweden, Hungary, France and India.
Sweden's Democrats -- a nativist, right-wing party -- had so many racists and xenophobes within its ranks that even it had to implement a zero-tolerance policy against such rhetoric. Yet, the country has still turned against immigrants, who are blamed for problems caused by its progressive welfare state.
In Hungary, President Viktor Orban has implemented massively generous welfare payments -- like a $35,000 child tax credit for parents with over three children -- but also made his ultimate mission to crack down viciously against any left-wing opposition. This has made him a role model for some American ideologues.
In my native France, rising star and presidential candidate Eric Zemmour has been open about his desire to return to a time when the country was run exclusively by and for French folks and immigrants who truly embraced French culture -- preferably Christian -- and gave their children names such as Jacques, Pierre and Marie.
So, as I wish you a happy New Year, I also ask you to join me in opposing illiberalism in all its forms. It means opposing the draconian regulation and unsustainable government welfare advanced by the Left. It also means opposing rising right-wing illiberalism that is hostile to LGBTQ and immigrant cultures, itches to ban books and generally wants to use government power to achieve its cramped vision of an American society.
No. I reject the “on the one hand, on the other hand” facile apologetics for Unipartism endorsed by Veronique de Rugy.
Sounds like classic liberalism to me.
Countries should be run for the benefit of their citizens.
The article is a weird leftist rant which redefines words in an Orwellian way.
The Chamber of Commerce ordering out their flying monkeys.
Sounds like this gal is another no-borders, no-sovereignty type. Let me give you a hint, Veronique: if you have no borders and no control on immigration, you have no country.
And the 2020 election WAS stolen.
Go educate yourself and then get back to us.
Veronique de Rugy exposes her illiberal position with respect to facts and data. And she gives herself away early on in the article while lacking the self-awareness to understand how silly she sounds.
Veronique, because you are so far off the mark your invitation is rejected with prejudice.
No self-awareness at all.
A private citizen endorsing a political candidate? That’s an attack on democracy.
She’s ignorant and incapable of using logic.
How did this leftist screed make it into Townhall?
What books are conservatives itching to ban? It's the Left that is trying to ban books such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s expose of Anthony Fauci.
What a bunch of merde.
“In my native France...”
Go back there if you don’t like it here, you ungrateful frog.
“How did this leftist screed make it into Townhall?”
Townhall is run by RINOs who occasionally find it expedient to pander to conservatives, that’s how.
Is Veronique going Jen Rubin?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.