Why do people think that low taxes and support for free markets and individual rights and free trade is right-wing? I love this quote from the 2nd Edition of the great book, "Predisposed: Liberals, Conservatives, and the Biology of Political Differences": "Ethnocentrics do not give a fig for individual rights. The connection between conservatism and free market principles is a relatively recent and far from universal development. Today, many right of center parties in Europe and especially Scandinavia happily accept a vibrant social safety net — they just don’t want it extended to protect recent and prospective immigrants."
Grok says:
Key Points
- Research suggests that low taxes, free markets, individual rights, and free trade are seen as right-wing due to 20th-century political shifts, especially in the US and UK.
- It seems likely that this association grew stronger with neoliberal policies under Reagan and Thatcher in the 1980s, emphasizing limited government and economic freedom.
- The evidence leans toward this being a relatively recent development, not universal, as some European conservatives support social safety nets, showing regional variation.
Why These Policies Are Associated with Right-Wing Politics
Historical Context
The connection between conservatism and policies like low taxes, free markets, individual rights, and free trade developed over time, particularly in the 20th century. Early conservatism, as seen with figures like Edmund Burke, focused more on preserving traditional institutions and social order rather than economic policies. However, in the US and UK, opposition to government intervention, such as the resistance to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, began aligning conservatives with free market principles.
The connection between conservatism and policies like low taxes, free markets, individual rights, and free trade developed over time, particularly in the 20th century. Early conservatism, as seen with figures like Edmund Burke, focused more on preserving traditional institutions and social order rather than economic policies. However, in the US and UK, opposition to government intervention, such as the resistance to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, began aligning conservatives with free market principles.
The Neoliberal Turn
A significant shift occurred in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of neoliberalism. In the US, Ronald Reagan's presidency (1981–1989) promoted deregulation, low taxes, and free trade, making these core conservative policies. Similarly, in the UK, Margaret Thatcher's government (1979–1990) adopted neoliberal economics, privatizing industries and reducing state intervention. These policies solidified the perception that such economic stances are right-wing.
A significant shift occurred in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of neoliberalism. In the US, Ronald Reagan's presidency (1981–1989) promoted deregulation, low taxes, and free trade, making these core conservative policies. Similarly, in the UK, Margaret Thatcher's government (1979–1990) adopted neoliberal economics, privatizing industries and reducing state intervention. These policies solidified the perception that such economic stances are right-wing.
Individual Rights and Free Trade
Individual rights, especially economic freedom and limited government, became central to conservative ideology, contrasting with left-wing support for government-led redistribution. Free trade, while historically supported by liberals, became a conservative priority in the late 20th century as part of globalization efforts, though some conservatives favor protectionism.
Individual rights, especially economic freedom and limited government, became central to conservative ideology, contrasting with left-wing support for government-led redistribution. Free trade, while historically supported by liberals, became a conservative priority in the late 20th century as part of globalization efforts, though some conservatives favor protectionism.
Regional Variations
This association is not universal. For example, in Scandinavia, many right-wing parties support social safety nets while opposing immigration, showing that conservatism can include economic interventionism in certain contexts. This highlights the complexity and variability of political ideologies across regions.
This association is not universal. For example, in Scandinavia, many right-wing parties support social safety nets while opposing immigration, showing that conservatism can include economic interventionism in certain contexts. This highlights the complexity and variability of political ideologies across regions.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the Association Between Conservatism and Free Market Policies
This section provides a comprehensive examination of why low taxes, support for free markets, individual rights, and free trade are perceived as right-wing, drawing on historical, ideological, and regional perspectives. The analysis is informed by extensive research into the evolution of conservatism, particularly in the US and UK, where this association is most pronounced, and acknowledges variations globally.
Historical Development of Conservatism and Free Market Principles
Conservatism, as a political doctrine, has historically emphasized the value of traditional institutions and gradual evolution, as noted in Conservatism | History, Intellectual Foundations, & Examples | Britannica. However, its relationship with free market principles has not always been consistent. Early conservatism, exemplified by Edmund Burke (died 1797), accepted Adam Smith's economic ideas but subordinated capitalism to a conservative social ethic, as detailed in Conservatism - Wikipedia. Burke's focus was on preserving social order rather than promoting economic liberalism.
In the 19th century, conservatism began to adapt to economic changes. In the UK, conservatism embraced free trade in 1846, as seen in the repeal of the Corn Laws, marking a shift toward economic liberalism, according to Conservatism - 19th Century, Ideology, Burke | Britannica. However, this was not universal; some conservatives, particularly in Europe, remained skeptical of industrialization, using terms like "wage slavery" to critique free markets, as noted in The First Enemies of Free Markets Were Conservatives, Not Socialists | Mises Institute.
In the US, early conservatism was not explicitly tied to free markets but rather to preserving the social and political order. Post-American Revolution, conservatism was interpreted as a "conservative revolution" against royal innovation, influenced by Burke, as per History of conservatism in the United States - Wikipedia. By the late 19th century, conservative wings, such as those supporting Grover Cleveland, backed the gold standard and laissez-faire, opposing interventionist policies, as detailed in Conservatism - US Politics, Ideology, Principles | Britannica.
Key 20th-Century Shifts: The Neoliberal Era
The strong association between conservatism and free market principles solidified in the mid-20th century, particularly with the rise of neoliberalism. The New Deal under Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933) expanded government intervention, which was opposed by the "Old Right," a group of conservative, free-market, anti-interventionists, as noted in History of conservatism in the United States - Wikipedia. This opposition laid the groundwork for later free-market conservatism.
The 1970s marked a turning point, with the resurgence of classical liberal economics influenced by economists like Milton Friedman and the Chicago School, reshaping conservative economic theory, as seen in Timeline of modern American conservatism - Wikipedia. This period coincided with economic stagnation, undermining Keynesian economics and boosting support for free markets, according to The Good That Markets Do | The Heritage Foundation.
The 1980s, often called the "Reagan era," was pivotal. Ronald Reagan's presidency (1981–1989) emphasized deregulation, low taxes, and free trade, aligning conservatism with free market principles, as detailed in Conservatism - US Politics, Ideology, Principles | Britannica. Reaganomics, focusing on supply-side economics, became a model for conservative economic policy. Similarly, in the UK, Margaret Thatcher's government (1979–1990) adopted neoliberal policies, privatizing state-owned industries and reducing taxes, as noted in Conservatism - Wikipedia. These policies strengthened the link between conservatism and free markets in the Anglo-American context.
Individual Rights and Free Trade in Conservative Ideology
Individual rights, particularly economic freedom and limited government, became central to conservative ideology. Conservatives often emphasize protecting property rights and minimizing government overreach, contrasting with left-wing support for government-led redistribution, as seen in Conservatism in the United States - Wikipedia. This aligns with the libertarian strain of conservatism, which focuses on individual liberty, as noted in Ten Conservative Principles | The Russell Kirk Center.
Free trade, while historically supported by liberals, became a conservative priority in the late 20th century as part of globalization efforts. This is evident in Reagan's and Thatcher's policies, but it has also faced criticism from some conservatives with nationalist or protectionist leanings, as seen in Free trade - Wikipedia. For example, Pat Buchanan's campaigns in the 1990s highlighted opposition to free trade, reflecting paleoconservative views, according to Conservatism - US Politics, Ideology, Principles | Britannica.
Regional and Global Variations
The association between conservatism and free market policies is not universal, as highlighted in the user's quote from Predisposed: Liberals, Conservatives, and the Biology of Political Differences. The quote notes that "ethnocentrics do not give a fig for individual rights" and that the connection between conservatism and free markets is "relatively recent and far from universal." This is supported by historical evidence, particularly in Europe.
For instance, in Scandinavia, many right-wing parties support social safety nets while opposing immigration, as noted in Conservatism - Wikipedia. This reflects paternalistic conservatism, emphasizing a social safety net and government regulation, as seen in Benjamin Disraeli's "One Nation" Toryism, according to Conservatism - Ideology, Politics, Principles | Britannica. Otto von Bismarck's creation of the modern welfare state in Germany in the 1880s further illustrates this, as detailed in Conservatism - Wikipedia.
Post-World War II, Christian Democratic parties in Western Europe, such as in Germany and Italy, dominated politics with a mix of market economies and social services, showing a more interventionist conservative approach, as noted in Conservatism - Ideology, Politics, Principles | Britannica. This contrasts with the Anglo-American model, highlighting regional variation.
Detailed Examples and Numbers
To provide a structured overview, here is a table summarizing key historical developments:
Period | Event/Development | Impact on Conservatism and Free Markets | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
19th Century | UK embraces free trade in 1846 | Marks shift toward economic liberalism in conservatism | UK |
Early 20th Century | Opposition to New Deal (1930s) by Old Right | Positions conservatives as anti-interventionist, pro-free market | US |
1970s | Rise of Chicago School (Milton Friedman) | Reshapes conservative economic theory toward free markets | Global, esp. US |
1980s | Reaganomics and Thatcherism | Solidifies association with low taxes, deregulation, free trade | US, UK |
Post-WWII | Christian Democracy in Europe | Supports market economies with social services, less free market | Western Europe |
This table encapsulates the evolution, showing how conservatism's association with free markets became prominent in specific contexts.
Conclusion
The perception that low taxes, support for free markets, individual rights, and free trade are right-wing is largely a product of 20th-century political developments, particularly the neoliberal turn in the US and UK under Reagan and Thatcher. However, this association is relatively recent and not universal, as seen in European conservatism, which can include support for social safety nets. This complexity underscores the need to consider regional and historical contexts when analyzing political ideologies.
Key Citations
