There are reasons for the right-wing perspective’s unpopularity. First of all, many laymen perceive conservatism as the more boring half of political discourse. Most citizens tend to rationally ignore some of the most crucial yet complicated matters in modern society. This is where the tragedy of conservative politics begins. As conservatism advocates gradual change and principled decisions, people consider it as tedious and old-fashioned. Few students will ever find conservative thoughts fresh.
This belief intensifies when conservatism meets reactionaries. Reactionary behaviors are sometimes helpful. They prevent progressive government from taking too extreme courses. They nonetheless decrease the support of those who are at the left side of the political spectrum to effective right-wing policies, if not centrist ones. Democratic politics is about persuading voters. Without winning an election and gaining power, any vibrant policy loses its ground. This simple yet unmovable reality makes conservatism harder to present its virtues.
Breaking an old notion that revitalizing people’s political participation solely belongs to the progressives should therefore be the priority of those who aspire to enter Realpolitik with right-wing mind. Many conservatives around the globe have been reluctant to induce the public to pay attention to political debates mainly because of their elitism. During the same period, social activists garnered enormous support from those who were sickened by the existing regime’s hubris and self-preservation.
Another problem arises even after the right-wing politicians have the opportunity to realize their thoughts. The public oftentimes misunderstands some of the central beliefs of conservative governance. For instance, the policies for freer markets give the impression that conservatism only favors rich individuals and large corporations. Considerate attitudes towards social reform might symbolize reluctance, not stability. Smart and powerful governance can end up with statists’ hierarchical ruling.
Some nations’ conservative politicians have therefore decided to change the messages themselves. As mentioned before, many right-wing statesmen have successfully stretched the governmental power even to each individual’s privacy. From Nazi Germany to the twentieth century’s military dictatorships in the developing world, it is easy to find how supposedly small government can change into authoritarian one. Others went back to the basics of democratic politics: populism. Today’s U.S. politics will be a sufficient example.
Both of them are nonetheless far from the core ideas of conservatism. Attempts to seize the power while concealing its true nature are neither just nor sustainable. Conservative statesmen must find a way to present their thoughts in a more genuine and principled way. Practical governance and individual liberty should be the principal allies of conservative thoughts. It is also vital to remember that those two goals are never the ones that the public dislikes. Conservatism can become popular again if these conditions are met.
Insights from Edmund Burke, a father of modern conservatism, are worth revisiting at this point. His magnum opus, Reflections on the Revolution in France, asserts the risk of governance based on pure theories and expectations. To him, the French Revolution was a misled attempt to build a highly complex structure only with its blueprint and without any experience in construction. Constructing an updated framework for society is necessary, yet rejecting all the valuable traditions of the existing order can jeopardize the entire community.
It is possible to see the effectiveness of smart government structure here. Trying to do the unmanageable is not the right choice for responsible political leaders. Even if the extensive bureaucracy might be able to finish them, they can still bear numerous unforeseen problems. Conservatism must therefore develop the ability to pick some of the agendas to be prioritized. The criterion for that decision should be based on what is necessary for the country. Moral correctness in politics is the phrase for commentators, not administrators.
Conservatism should learn how to adopt what the other side stresses during this process. Specifically speaking, an innovative and unbiased approach towards foreign and industrial policies and rectification of the inconsistencies between them are crucial. Trade protectionism and isolationism severely undermine freer private enterprise with greater governmental regulations and tariffs. Some conservatives’ desire to make the government voiceless in economic matters can also block the long-term plans for the increase of industrial competitiveness.
On the other hand, there are the strategic aspects of political victory. Focusing too much on opposing progressive policies may lead to the image that right-wing politicians are always negative and are unable to produce any viable alternatives. Politics of rage and bluffing cannot not be the substitute of politics of hope and future. Let the conservative thoughts be yet another way, not the dead-end, of social progress.
An effective blow to political opponents is nonetheless important. Any criticism’s effectiveness must be measured not by the targeted party’s temporary shock, but by the reaction of wider public who listens to it. This means that citizens should not be disappointed by the quality of language and the contents it delivers. Two of the great strengths conservative statesmen can have are the sense of dignity and praise of honour. Protecting selves is far more crucial than making enemies angry. So many conservative politicians, however, fail to remember this.
This eventually leads to the value of sincere communications and the resulting compromises in politics. In democratic nations, most of the issues in and out of government cannot be dictated by a single group of people. Consent of the opposing side is therefore vital both for conservative advancement as well as progressive evolution. A gentler and more inclusive attitude towards different opinions will allow positive dialogues for productive changes. After all, dialectical method is the key to every logical reasoning.
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