Intellectual Bankruptcy on the Right

Darn Identity Politics!

A couple of posts from a very thoughtful blogger:

First, l'Hote points out that the us vs. them narrative model the GOP uses intrinsically leads to divisiveness. His point is well taken. A base-first model by the GOP will only exacerbate this tendency, for it looks like the future will actually see them as an embattled minority after decades of dominance. I mean, if during decades of dominance they constantly acted embattled, imagine how they'll act when really a minority whose views are marginalized. Egads!

Next, he points out how the right's constant repetition of the "bias" narrative is intellectually damaging to conservatives: they don't have to really examine reasons for their failure, they can simply point to "bias", self-satisfiedly shrug to one another, never think about alternative causes, and return to the Culture War.

I'm on record as saying that I think the successful effort to brand the mainstream media as a tool for liberals is the profound political victory of the last couple decades. But I think that narrative has now begun to do great damage to the Republican philosophical and intellectual vanguard. Because every reported problem for Republicans is immediately assumed to be just another plot by the vengeful and biased MSM, there's no opportunity for intelligent Republicans to meaningfully address actual problems-- ideological or political-- that confront their party. "Bias, bias!" has made a lot of hay for Republicans and conservatism in practical terms, but it has also hollowed out the ranks of the conservative intellectual class in a very damaging way.

The number one message of the Corner is this: nothing is ever actually wrong with conservatism; there is never any bad news for conservatism; and the suggestion that the previous two statements are ever incorrect is a vicious liberal ploy. There isn't self-reflection, or sober consideration of the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of the Republican party, ever. There's just incrimination and excuses and liberal media, liberal media, liberal media. This is a function of a weird dynamic in conservatism, where the dominant party of the last 20 years continues to act as if it were a tiny minority.

Very thoughtful analysis in those posts. And a reason to be alarmed as well. The Right won't go away, but it very well might metastasize.