Is the populist right opposed to liberalism and the free market? Does this mark a change in what it is to be right-wing, or was it a mistake to see populism as far right in the first place? Or is there an unavoidable conflict on the right between maintaining the status quo and being conservative, and enabling change through the free market?

At the outset of the use of the term, to be on the right was to back the aristocracy, authority and the status quo. In contrast, the liberals, known as Whigs in 18th century Britain, backed change, freedom and the rights of the individual. But in recent decades to be in favour of the free market and against the state itself came to be seen as right-wing. Now there's a further twist. The new populist right, often described as far right by its critics, has become critical of some aspects of the free market. Trump's tariffs are in support of current jobs and against the market. Le Pen is against big corporations. Reform in favour of state ownership of key services.

Sohrab Ahmari is a celebrated journalist and cultural critic and co-founder of Compact magazine and author of Tyranny, Inc.

Gawain Towler is a British political strategist, journalist, and long-standing figure in the Eurosceptic movement. Best known for his work in party communications and media strategy, he currently serves on the governing board of Reform UK.

Rachel Maclean is a former UK minister, Conservative peer, and is Director of Strategy to the Leader of the Opposition.

Mark Littlewood is a libertarian economist and media commentator known for his provocative advocacy on free markets, regulation, and public policy. He’s currently director of the think tank Popular Conservatism.

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The future of the right | Sohrab Ahmari, Gawain Towler, Rachel Maclean, Mark Littlewood

Philosophy For Our Times

The future of the right | Sohrab Ahmari, Gawain Towler, Rachel Maclean, Mark Littlewood