Conservatism is no Longer Enough - The American Mind

Overview of Arguments

• Conservatism's Limitations: The author, Glenn Ellmers, argues that traditional conservatism is insufficient in the current political climate, which has transformed into a "counter-revolutionary moment."

• Division in America: The U.S. is depicted as two distinct nations, with significant segments of the population no longer embracing traditional American values.

Citizen-Aliens

• Illegal Immigration: The author mentions illegal immigrants as a clear category of non-Americans.

• Native-Born Non-Americans: A more troubling issue is the emergence of native-born citizens who do not identify with traditional American ideals, despite their citizenship. This group is labeled as "citizen-aliens."

• Trump Voters: The 75 million individuals who voted against the current political establishment, identifying with Trump's movement, are presented as more grounded Americans, despite their varied political identities.

Current Political Landscape

• Institutional Division: Different factions within conservatism (neocons, paleocons, etc.) are pointed out as sources of weakness in opposing the progressives. This internal squabbling is said to risk a progressive victory.

• Need for Unity: The necessity for a unified front among conservatives is emphasized; however, the author argues that party unity cannot be enforced without a shared ideological foundation.

The Claremont Institute's Role

• Intellectual Leadership: The Claremont Institute serves as a vital intellectual bastion for Trumpism and restores original American principles, as opposed to merely conserving the status quo.

• Revolutionary Approach: Ellmers suggests that rather than conserving the current situation, a counter-revolution is needed to reclaim the nation's foundational ideals, which are recognized by a minority.

Critique of Conservative Norms

• Outdated Norms: Many in the establishment conservative camps are suggested to be out of touch with the reality of America's political practices, which the author claims are corrupt and ineffective for safeguarding freedom and virtue.

• Trump's Understanding: Trump’s presidency is described as a chaotic attempt to disrupt the prevailing toxic norms, though he lacked the proper political acumen and advisors to navigate this effectively.

Goals and Solutions

• Need for a New Statesman: A leader is of utmost importance to identify and rectify the country's issues. However, the author concedes that such a figure is unlikely to emerge spontaneously.

• Defining American Identity: There’s an urgent need to articulate what it means to be an American, and to explore and preserve elements of citizenship that resonate with citizens.

Educational Initiatives

• Claremont's Commitment: The role of the Claremont Institute is underscored in educating citizens on their rights and duties. This understanding is seen as vital for restoring American ideals in practice.

• Historical Influence: The institute's long-standing influence on conservative thought showcases the significance of recognizing foundational American principles amidst contemporary challenges.

The Future of Conservatism

• MAGA and Claremont Alliance: The potential efficacy of merging the MAGA movement with Claremont's philosophical ideals is explored, emphasizing the need for practical knowledge and skills.

• Challenges Ahead: Amid existing political chaos, the author encourages citizens to prepare mentally and physically, emphasizing resilience and a return to classic education and values.

Overview of Arguments

Challenges for Traditional Conservatism: The writer, Glenn Ellmers, thinks that old ways of conservatism can't solve today's problems; we are in a time that needs more change.

Two Separate Groups in America: He talks about America being like two different countries because lots of people don't follow the traditional American beliefs anymore.

Citizen-Aliens:

• Illegal Immigrants: Some people come to America illegally, and the writer believes they are not part of the country.

• Native-Born Non-Americans: There are others born in America who don’t believe in traditional American values. The writer calls them "citizen-aliens."

• Trump Voters: The writer thinks that the 75 million people who voted for Trump are more in touch with being American, even if they don’t all agree on everything.

Today's Political Situation:

• Divisions Among Conservatives: Different groups in conservatism are fighting among themselves, which makes it hard to oppose others who want more change. This confusion might help the progressive side to win.

• Need for Unity: It is important for conservatives to work together, but they can’t do that unless they share the same beliefs.

The Claremont Institute's Role:

• Leadership in Ideas: The Claremont Institute is important because it helps guide people about true American values instead of just keeping things the same.

• Need for Change: Instead of just keeping what we have, the writer believes we need a big change back to the core American ideas that a few people still recognize.

Critique of Conservative Norms:

• Old-fashioned Ideas: Many traditional conservatives don’t understand how today’s politics work; the writer thinks these ideas don’t help protect freedom and goodness.

• Trump's Approach: Trump tried to change the usual way things were done in politics, but he didn’t have the right help to succeed.

Goals and Solutions:

• Need for a Leader: The writer feels it’s very important to find a good leader to solve America’s problems, although it might be hard to find someone like that.

• Understanding American Identity: We need to decide what it really means to be an American and keep important values alive.

Educational Initiatives:

• Claremont's Work: The Claremont Institute wants to teach people about their rights and responsibilities, which is crucial for bringing back American values in how we live.

• Historical Influence: The group has been important for many years in helping understand America’s basic principles despite the challenges we face today.

The Future of Conservatism:

• Merging Movements: The writer thinks uniting the MAGA movement with the ideas from Claremont could be helpful, focusing on knowing how to make things better.

• Preparing for Challenges: With political problems all around, it’s important for people to be ready in their minds and bodies, and to remember classic education and values.