Concerns Surrounding the Future of Fusionism in Conservatism

During the ‘Restoring a Nation’ conference in October 2022, J.D. Vance, who was a candidate for the Ohio Senate, remarked on the difficulties of being at the forefront of a transformed Republican Party and conservative movement. He cautioned that this could lead to a merging known as Fusionism 2.0.

This gathering of academics and writers aimed to reshape American conservatism, moving away from established principles of individual rights and free markets associated with traditional fusionism, toward a model emphasizing more government engagement in economic matters, a rejection of individualism, and a social perspective inspired by Catholic teachings. The emergence of this postliberal Right aligns with changes in conservative thought following the 2016 election and has developed significantly during the subsequent years, especially under Trump’s prominence.