Are you ready to dive into the provocative world of political commentary? This week, Il Foglio featured an article by Sharelle Jacobs, an editorialist for the Telegraph, presenting a compelling argument. Jacobs sees in Trump the epitome of a “gangster” conservatism that “knows what it wants, goes after it without caring about anything or anyone in its way. A new type of populist-conservative politics that aggressively pursues prosperity and order could be the inevitable future of right-wing politics in the declining West.” This encapsulates the global polarization trend that has been highlighted in numerous articles on Tempi, favoring more extreme positions.
As Biden retires and Kamala Harris enters the fray, this radicalization of positions is set to intensify. Commentators, including editorials in the New York Times, predict that her entry will further escalate the American presidential campaign. Harris has already stated that abortion, to be recognized as a universal right, will be a central point in her challenge against Trump. The upcoming clash between “Woke” and “Maga” cultures is poised to be a radical showdown.
Trump and Harris. Is There an Alternative?
In a West that seems increasingly captive to its fears, with a blurred identity and no solid ground to anchor itself, is “gangster” conservatism truly the way forward? This question is key not only for the United States, which can no longer claim world leadership, but also for Europe, which faces economic, demographic, and possibly cultural marginalization.
Is there an alternative? I believe so, and it lies in what I call populism, the political culture that has historically shaped the conservative bloc in Italy and Europe, defining our uniqueness. Apart from the English Tories, true conservative parties have never existed in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, etc., where the center-right space has been primarily occupied by moderate forces with a popular culture background, like DC and Fi/Pdl in Italy, CDU/CSU in Germany, PP in Spain, UMP and later Les Republicains in France, etc. The main historical contribution of Christian popular parties in post-war politics, in my opinion, has been a popular conservatism that is not gangster, balanced in tone and content, respectful of institutions, aimed at dialogue and confrontation with political opponents rather than conflict.
The Future of the Right
Can this still be the alternative for the center-right today? I believe so, especially if Europe wants to maintain its uniqueness. While this proposition may not have found its leader in Italy or Europe yet, it has shown potential demand and a significant political space. As Piersilvio Berlusconi mentioned during Mediaset’s schedule presentation: “The upcoming election could be a crazy opportunity for political marketing. Moderates in Italy are the majority, but they currently lack a figure they truly identify with, to the extent that even Meloni is attracting votes from moderates. I’m not making predictions, but I’m saying that there could be an opportunity for any new moderate center force or candidate.”
This statement poses a cultural challenge before a political one, as emphasized in an editorial by Claudio Cerasa from Il Foglio, titled: “A right that loves freedom more than fueling Trumpism must oppose it.” Referring to the Berlusconi family, particularly Marina, Cerasa argues that Trumpism cannot be the answer for a right seeking to represent moderate voters and preserve its uniqueness. He stresses the stark contrast between Donald Trump’s fear, isolationism, nationalism, extremism, radicalism, conspiracy theories, and protectionism versus Silvio Berlusconi’s opposite traits; openness, optimism, multilateralism, Europeanism, anti-nationalism, defense of globalization, and opposition to extremism, particularly xenophobia, a cause he fought for most of his life. “The right with a future is one that should view Trump’s campaign with detachment, concern, and certainty: those who embraced Berlusconism cannot help but be terrified by all that Trumpism represents to those who cherish an inviolable value called freedom.”
Embarking on a Journey
This, in my view, is the cultural challenge facing global and Italian politics today. Can populism offer a real alternative to populism, and can popular parties take up the cultural and political battle for a conservatism that does not oppose freedom?
This is the challenge before us. It’s a game we cannot play defensively. There is a moderate populace seeking answers. It takes courage and hope for the future. We must embark on the journey even when it seems like there are no paths left to tread. It’s precisely there that we must start building new roads.
