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

2022 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 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Intellectual History / 戦後史

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

During the previous AY, I have continued analyzing new material, including several newly published books of great relevance to the inquiry at hand, while continuing to write my book manuscript. The main findings can be summed up as follows: Many key tenets of right-wing identity politics have been present in conservative discourse since the 1950s, even though most conservatives have distanced themselves from right-wing-populism. There is evidence thereof in the writings of intellectuals in three of the four countries under analysis in this study.
In terms of interactions between intellectuals and the politicians, there have been long-standing ties and influences. Particularly, in the US, they have informed Republican politics since the 1980s. However, at the same time, intellectuals have often clashed with politicians, most prominently over educational policies and in Japan, the question of the constitution. This has led to the curious situation that stronger nationalist tendencies, conservatives have often found themselves criticizing right-wing parties.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

Due to planned research trips coinciding with spikes in COVID-19 infections, I have not been able to get access to certain materials, which has delayed the completion of the project.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

The goal for the upcoming academic year is to complete the collection of the necessary source material, to then complete the book manuscript and submit it for review to a well-known publishing house.

Causes of Carryover

At the times during which I had planned to go on the previously outlined research trips, COVID-19 infection numbers surged, forcing me to delay these plans and apply for an extension.
The plan for the current AY, is to complete these research trips and with them the material collection, and then wrap up the writing of the manuscript and submit a book proposal to a publisher.