Imprimis Podcast Summary: "Populist Conservatism and Constitutional Order"

Podcast Information

• Title: Imprimis
• Host/Author: Hillsdale College
• Episode Title: Populist Conservatism and Constitutional Order
• Release Date: November 26, 2024
• Speaker: Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation

Introduction and Context

In the November 26, 2024 episode of Imprimis, hosted by Hillsdale College, Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, delves into the resurgence of populist conservatism within the United States and its implications for the constitutional framework of the nation. Adapted from his talk delivered at Christ Chapel during the Drummond Lectures on October 23, 2024, Roberts sets the stage by critiquing the prevailing elitist political paradigm that has dominated American governance since the Cold War era.

Decline of Elitist Top-Down Politics

Roberts begins by highlighting the failures of the top-down, elitist approach in both Republican and Democratic administrations since the Cold War's conclusion. While acknowledging America's material growth and corporate profitability since 1991, he emphasizes the concurrent decline in military strength, fiscal stability, and spiritual vitality. This decline has eroded public trust in key institutions controlled by elites, including political, scientific, journalistic, educational, and religious bodies.

“The top down, elitist brand of politics that has dominated the United States since the end of the Cold War under Republican and Democratic administrations alike has failed.”
— Kevin Roberts, [00:20]

Rise of Populism

Roberts observes a global surge in populism, particularly on the conservative right, paralleling movements in Argentina, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Hungary. He notes common characteristics among these movements:

• Economic and Political Nationalism: Emphasizing sovereignty and prioritizing national interests over globalist agendas.
• Cultural Patriotism and Social Conservatism: Upholding traditional values and resisting cultural shifts perceived as detrimental.
• Sympathy for Workers Over Corporations: Advocating for the common person against entrenched corporate interests.
• Anti-Establishment Sentiment: Leaders often possess vibrant personalities that challenge the status quo, undermining institutional authority.

Roberts underscores that the current left rejects populism, favoring expansive roles for big government and large institutions, thereby strengthening these entities against democratic accountability.

“The new populism tends to be economically and politically nationalistic. It tends to be culturally patriotic and socially conservative... It is a rhetorical Trojan horse that unprincipled demagogues use to advance their narrow, selfish ambitions.”
— Kevin Roberts, [04:15]

Historical Context and Erosion of Public Trust

Roberts traces the roots of today's populist discontent back to 1991, the end of the Cold War—a period that should have led to a national recalibration of American policies. Instead, he argues, the Washington establishment doubled down on globalist agendas:

• Global Governance Aspirations: President George H.W. Bush's pledge to a "new world order" under the United Nations.
• Economic Policies: Support for NAFTA and the World Trade Organization, which Roberts contends undermined American industrial regions and economic sovereignty.
• Military Interventions: Engagements in Somalia and the former Yugoslavia, leading to military and strategic overstretch.

These actions, Roberts asserts, eroded the public's trust, culminating in electoral defeats and increasing disenchantment with elite-led governance.

“Our nation has been beset by an unprecedented border crisis, a mental health crisis, and historically low birth rates. The withdrawal from Afghanistan was a national embarrassment.”
— Kevin Roberts, [10:45]

Conditions Favoring Conservative Populism

The deteriorating fiscal situation, public health crises exacerbated by pandemic responses, legal and cultural battles over marriage and gender, and rising national debt have all contributed to disillusionment with elite institutions. Roberts argues that these factors have paved the way for conservative populism by discrediting the very elites that once commanded public trust.

“Our $35 trillion national debt is now equal to 124% of our gross domestic product. We spend more every year on interest payments on that debt than we do on national security.”
— Kevin Roberts, [12:50]

Critique of Elite Institutions and Populist Potential

While acknowledging the elite critique of populism—that it may lack substance and be a vehicle for demagoguery—Roberts emphasizes the necessity of integrating populist energy with principled, positive political aims. He cites historical figures like Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Franklin Roosevelt as examples of leaders who successfully channeled populist sentiments into meaningful reforms.

“Legitimate and enduring change in democracies comes neither from philosophers nor rabble rousers. It comes only by strategically fusing populist energy and principled ideas.”
— Kevin Roberts, [07:30]

Constitutional Solutions and Reforms

Roberts posits that the Constitution remains the foundational tool for addressing contemporary challenges. He critiques factions within the populist movement that seek to discard the Constitution, advocating instead for its adherence and application to achieve national renewal. Key areas for reform include:

• Legislative Function: Transforming Congress into a genuine legislative body rather than a platform for moralizing.
• Executive Responsibility: Ensuring the President acts as a competent chief executive rather than exerting authoritarian control.
• Judicial Impartiality: Restoring the judiciary to uphold the Constitution and laws without partisan bias.
• Dispersal of Power: Reducing the concentration of political authority within the Washington establishment.

“None of our problems are beyond our constitutional order's power to solve. What is it we need after all? We need a Congress that acts like a legislature rather than a company of moralizing performance artists.”
— Kevin Roberts, [13:20]

Policy Recommendations and Vision for the Future

Roberts outlines a series of actionable reforms aimed at reclaiming national sovereignty and ensuring government accountability:

• Border Security: Empowering the U.S. Border Patrol to secure borders effectively.
• Economic Autonomy: Reforming trade agreements and closing loopholes that disadvantage American workers.
• Judicial Reforms: Addressing partisan misconduct within the Justice Department and FBI.
• Energy Policy: Facilitating energy development through corporate permissions and investments in nuclear power.
• Education and Labor: Shifting focus from diversity initiatives to trade apprenticeships and workforce development.
• Institutional Overhaul: Defunding and restructuring agencies perceived as anti-American or anti-Constitutional.

He reinforces the importance of the Constitution in guiding these reforms, asserting that true populist success must align with constitutional principles.

“The solution to our problems is not to scrap or transcend the Constitution, but to start obeying and applying it again.”
— Kevin Roberts, [14:50]

Conclusion and Call to Action

Roberts concludes with a compelling vision of conservatism as the "preservation of fire," drawing on Gustav Mahler's metaphor to illustrate the dynamic and forward-looking nature of true conservative philosophy. He calls for a unified conservative populist movement that combines grassroots energy with constitutional fidelity to reclaim institutions and restore national pride.

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire. The preservation of fire strikes me as a good metaphor for conservatism.”
— Kevin Roberts, [15:45]

Roberts urges listeners to actively participate in dismantling and reforming entrenched institutions, emphasizing that the rewards of prioritizing American families and sovereignty will surpass expectations. He underscores the necessity of a thoughtful and principled approach to populism, ensuring that it serves the nation's enduring values and constitutional framework.

“This is the fight before us. If we thoughtfully and tenaciously combine populist energy with conservative principles, it is a fight we can win.”
— Kevin Roberts, [16:00]

Final Notes

The episode effectively underscores the intersection of populist movements with constitutional conservatism, advocating for a strategic, principle-driven approach to political change. Kevin Roberts' analysis provides a comprehensive critique of past policies and institutional failures, offering a roadmap for revitalizing American governance through constitutional adherence and populist energy.

For those interested in exploring the themes discussed, Imprimis continues to offer insightful analyses and discussions aimed at promoting civil and religious liberty within the cultural, economic, political, and educational spheres.