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

2021 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

During the past Academic Year, I continued with my analysis of conservative thought leading up and during the age of identity politics.
The schisms within center-right parties and more broadly conservative elites that were already mentioned in last year's report, have multiple dimensions: One is tied to the question whether or not to embrace neoliberalism, a second pertains to the question of how to treat right-wing populism. These schims appear in all three countries under examination, however they have produced different outcomes: In the case of the Anglo-Saxon countries, the support for neoliberalism has been stronger than in Japan, whereas many conservative elites in Japan have remained skeptical about neoliberalism's impact. Identity politics have been both an opportunity and a risk for center-right parties, as they are both a backlash to neoliberal globalism (which center-right parties had backed to varying degrees) and at the same time an opportunity to tap into dissatisfied voters who might have voted for progressive in the past.
It is important to note, though, that these schisms predate the debate over identity politics, and many of their features have, in fact, been part of the conservative discourse for decades (e.g. the emphasis of the nation state against progressive globalism).

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting health concerns and travel advisories/restrictions, I have not been able to conduct the hitherto planned business trip aimed at visiting libraries, attending international conferences, etc. I have instead relied on acquiring material via ILL/copy services and other means that do no necessitate actual library visits. However, some materials that I have yet to analyze, are available only in libraries and thus will require library visits (to the NDL) during the current AY.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Going forward, the goal is to finally visit the NDL to study the missing literature I have not been able to access remotely. The main goal for the remainder of the funding period is to complete the book manuscript and prepare a book to be submitted to a publishing house.

Causes of Carryover

Due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions/health concerns/advisories, I had to adjust my travel schedule and plan on conducting the necessary visits tot the National Diet library during the present academic year.