Shikha Dalmia on Reform Conservatism and the Triumph of Liberalism
New conservatives have given up on scaling back the welfare state
A hot new movement called reform conservatism powered by some of the most thoughtful conservatives in the country has for some years now been pushing Republicans to embrace a middle-class populist agenda. The problem, however, notes Reason Foundation Senior Analyst Shikha Dalmia is that although reformicons, as these folks are called, start from very different philosophical principles from liberals, their policy prescriptions ultimately are a mix of old and new liberal ideas. There is much to like in this movement (including its fight against crony capitalism and corporate welfare)—but also much to be genuinely concerned about.