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

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K00120
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 01040:History of thought-related
• 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: 日本政治史 / 政治思想史

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Conservative identity politics have become a significant feature in contemporary politics and society. Against the backdrop of ongoing polarization, it may seem that conservatism has radicalized. This may be true for certain conservative elements, but at the same time, rifts between intellectual and political center-right forces have arguably increased. This has manifested itself in growing criticism of neoliberal policies, which have long been considered part of the conservative coalition. While mainstream conservative intellectuals in the US or UK have continued attacking social democratic policies, many of their Japanese equivalents have seen neoliberalism as a greater threat, and produced counterarguments, in line with Mannheim's definition of conservatism.
The goal of this research project was to produce a book manuscript detailing these developments. This manuscript has been completed and is currently under review at a university press.

Free Research Field

政治思想史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This study's significance rests in its analysis of conservatism in the age of identity politics. It has demonstrated that conservatism has not necessarily changed , but rather adjusted to postwar-Cold War realities, e.g., by opposing neoliberalism. This helps us understand new ideological cleavages.