A Global Conservative Movement Is Emerging — And Everyone Stands to Gain
Ardent leftists are perplexed and depressed, but hundreds of millions will benefit from this movement
My recent article in the European Conservative, Pan-Conservativi: A New Global Conservative Reality, I argue that we are witnessing the beginning of a golden age for market-based economies. This moment is ripe for pragmatic leadership, a reinforcement of foundational principles, and decision-making that safeguards critical elements of our lives: national sovereignty, family values, environmental stewardship, personal liberty, and both household and national wealth.
Leftists, predictably, are bewildered by these shifts. They’ve been conditioned to operate on a diet of emotional fervor and irrationality. While emotions play a role in the human experience, leadership demands something more substantial than vibes and subjective views.
One of the core arguments I presented in my article is as follows:
"The political elite—from the United States to Europe—have brought this shift upon themselves. Since the so-called ‘end of socialism,’ globalist leaders have steadily eroded national sovereignty, marketing center-left policies as if they were centrist. In free-market societies, it is the economy that should largely shape the cultural landscape, not fringe social agendas. Expanding individual liberties through economic prosperity while reversing out-of-touch social policies that lack foundational support is both logical and pragmatic. Issues like identity politics and overreach on social mandates are already losing influence, with ‘wokeism’ widely regarded as a relic of the immediate past. The era of vilifying virtues like success, attractiveness, professional drive, marriage, faith, or simple happiness is coming to an end. Individual freedoms in lifestyle and choice will remain, but they will no longer dominate the mainstream. Owning a home, enjoying a steak, or building a career will no longer be revolutionary acts. The modern-day ‘ideological dark ages’ are giving way to a new dawn."
This ideological shift, evident across Europe, North America, and South America, lies squarely at the feet of today’s political leadership. In the United States, Democrats have held the reins for much of the past 12 years. While the economy has continued to function, the hollowing out of our cultural, spiritual, and institutional fabric is undeniable. The human spirit has suffered under the weight of policies that prioritize social engineering (even Marxists hate CRT) over practical governance.
What happens next? One thing that critics of capitalism fail to grasp is the nuanced reality of American wealth. Far from signaling vast inequality, the success of figures like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk highlights the distributed nature of wealth in market economies. Their fortunes are intrinsically tied to enterprises owned by millions of shareholders. As these companies succeed, so do the retirement accounts, savings, and investments of ordinary people. A rising tide in the stock market lifts the net worth of countless individuals, from young professionals to retirees. Remember when Biden lambasted trickle down economics? He was very wrong.
The wealth generated by market economies isn’t a zero-sum game. It’s the envy of the world for a reason: it creates opportunity, fosters innovation, and underpins the liberties that make a free society thrive. The challenge for conservatives is to protect this framework from being dismantled by those who fail to see the bigger picture, and also and further develop the system. In no way will Americans allow our nation to fall into the downward spiral of managed decline. One can only hope that this vast conservative movement will kickstart a small and medium sized business revolution (in the US, Canada, Europe and South America).
The road ahead is clear. A new dawn is upon us, and it’s up to pragmatic conservatives to ensure this era of renewed prosperity and rational governance becomes the cornerstone of a lasting legacy.
*I didn't include the wave of conservative leadership in South America in the article, but here are some facts:
Javier Milei (Argentina): Elected as Argentina's president in November 2023, Milei is a right-wing libertarian known for his radical economic reforms and outspoken criticism of socialism. His policies have led to significant economic improvements, including a reduction in inflation and a fiscal surplus.
Daniel Noboa (Ecuador): Inaugurated in November 2023, Noboa is Ecuador's youngest president. A center-right conservative, he has focused on economic reforms and strengthening ties with Western nations.
José Raúl Mulino (Panama): Elected in May 2024, Mulino, a right-wing politician, has emphasized anti-corruption measures and economic liberalization. His victory marks a significant shift in Panama's political direction.
Javier Milei has implemented several significant policies:
Economic Reforms: Milei introduced a comprehensive deregulation plan, known as the "Megadecreto," which aimed to modify over 300 economic regulations, including rent and labor market laws. This initiative sought to reduce state intervention and promote free-market principles.
Fiscal Policies: He achieved a fiscal surplus by implementing austerity measures, including reducing government spending and laying off thousands of public sector employees. These actions contributed to a significant decrease in inflation, from over 25% monthly in December 2023 to 8.8% in April 2024.
Foreign Policy: Milei initially adopted a critical stance toward China but has since shifted to a more pragmatic approach, fostering collaboration between the two nations.