Fusionism (politics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fusionism is an American political term for the combination or "fusion" of libertarians and traditional conservatives in the American conservative movement. The strategy was advocated by National Review editor Frank Meyer, who believed that the holders of various disparate conservative beliefs should work together to combat the threats of Cold War communism, increasing government power domestically, and what seen as a decline in civil society (especially during the Great Society era of the mid-1960s).
Fusionism saw its height during the presidency of Ronald Reagan and in the immediate aftermath of the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994. Fusionist impulses began to decline during the presidency of George W. Bush, during which the social conservative element of the Republican Party was seen in the ascent (at least with respect to domestic politics). Following the Republican Party's defeat in the 2006 midterm elections, some are calling for a new "fusionism" between libertarians and liberals in the Democratic Party to address what is seen as increasing governmental interference in private activity.
[edit] Prominent Fusionists
- William F. Buckley -- founder of National Review
- Frank Meyer -- editor of National Review
- Ronald Reagan -- fortieth president of the United States
- Ralph Reed -- former executive director of the Christian Coalition
[edit] Critics of Fusionism
- L. Brent Bozell, Jr. -- traditionalist Catholic political author
- Russell Kirk -- traditional conservative philosopher
- Murray Rothbard -- libertarian author and economist
[edit] References
- Ryan Sager, The Elephant in the Room: Evangelicals, Libertarians and the Battle to Control the Republican Party (2006)
- Brink Lindsey, "Liberaltarians"
- Arnold Kling, "Why Be a Conservative Libertarian?"
- Edward Feser, "Hayek and Fusionism"
