Resurrection, Revolution or Reclamation Project? Conservatism in the Age of Identity Politics

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K00120
• Research Institution: Seinan Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: WINKLER CHRIS 西南学院大学, 法学部, 准教授 (60778588)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Conservatism / Intellectual History

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

My archival work and attendance in conferences has been limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions on domestic and international travel, but I still managed to acquire and analyze a substantial number of sources on Japanese, American and British conservatism. In all three countries we can find a variety of interpretations of what it means to be "conservative" and accordingly what political program was appropriate.
Schisms within the major center-right parties and more broadly conservative elites on the meaning of conservatism (pragmatism versus adherence to strict principles) and based thereon desirable political program already appeared in the early postwar decades. Fueled by resentment against pragmatic rapprochement with "leftist/liberal" policies (Keynesianism, social equality, or in the early 1970s, diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, etc.), these schisms would go on to become some of the building stones of what today is known as "identity politics". From the 1950s through the early 1970s, the forces advocating these precursors to "identity politics" were not as successful as they are today, though, often being regarded as relatively minor forces, even though they have succeeded in making their presence felt to varying degrees (e.g. various Republican presidential candidates or the Seirankai).
The ongoing analysis has also shown a number of commonalities in structure and interactions, such as the importance of think tanks and other organizations that emit what might originally have been considered "fringe" ideas.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The analysis and drafting of the manuscript has thus far gone according to plan. However, the (at the beginning of the research project) unexpected and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has limited my ability to conduct archival work in libraries such as the National Diet Library in Tokyo. I have still managed to acquire a substantial part of the literature that I need in order to complete my project, even though - as outlined below - I hope to acquire this remaining literature during the present academic year.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Due to the restrictions on travel related to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had to adjust my travel schedule, pushing back scheduled business trips. As the number of vaccinations increases, I hope to conduct business trips to study and collect further materials at the National Diet Library during the current academic year. Depending on the organizer, some of my planed presentations at international conferences may be held online. Meanwhile, I will continue the process of analyzing collected materials and continue working on my book manuscript.

Causes of Carryover

Due to COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions, I was unable to go on originally scheduled business trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Sendai during the previous academic year. Assuming lifting of such restrictions and/or a decline of infection numbers, I'm planning on going on these business trips during the second half of the present academic year, with a particular focus on doing research and source collection at the National Diet Library.