The Changing Face of Conservatism: Navigating the Culture War and Secular America

The Republican Party is facing a shift in strategy as it navigates the changing landscape of American politics. The conventional wisdom among Republican elites has been challenged by recent trends that suggest a different approach may be more successful.

In the aftermath of the 2012 election, the G.O.P. conducted an “autopsy” that recommended a strategy of moderation on cultural issues in order to appeal to nonwhite voters. However, the opposite strategy seems to have yielded results in recent years.

In the 2020 election, former President Donald Trump won more votes from nonwhite people and Hispanics than any other Republican presidential candidate in modern American history. This was achieved by running on an aggressive culture-war platform that diverged from traditional Republican economic orthodoxy.

The future of conservatism in America remains uncertain, with potential cracks appearing within the Republican coalition. Controversies such as the backlash against pornographic actress Brandi Love at a conservative youth conference highlight the tensions between different factions within the party.

As the Republican Party grapples with these internal conflicts, it will be crucial for old social conservatives and secular converts to find common ground in order to build a successful political future. The resolution of these contradictions will be key to the party’s ability to appeal to a broad base of voters and remain relevant in a rapidly changing political landscape.