Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Alinsky's Rules for Radicals
I found Rules for Radicals to be by far the most interesting reading we have had all year. I actually enjoyed reading it and I think a lot of Alinsky's ideas are extremely relevant today. Ironically enough, I think the Republican Party could benefit greatly from many of Alinsky's ideas. The Republican Party is divided between fiscal conservatives, libertarians, and social conservatives. A successful Republican Presidential candidate, or community organizer, has to figure out a way to keep these groups together under the banner of the same party. Fiscal conservatives, libertarians, and social conservatives have conflicting views on lots of issues - gay marriage for one. A successful Republican President, if there is ever one anytime soon, would have to emphasize issues that fiscal and social conservatives and libertarians agree on. I think a community organizer is just what the Republican Party needs, regardless of what Sarah Palin thinks.
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I believe there are a dearth of issues upon which members of the conservative tent agree. Libertarians and social conservatives disagree about most social issues. Social conservatives and libertarians/big business disagree about immigration. Foreign policy hawks and libertarians disagree about the size and scale of the army and security measures.
The one issue with that unifying potential is low taxes. But everyone likes lower taxes. And unfunded government liabilities are higher than ever.
Is it time, dare I say it, for the end of the two-party system in the US?
For more on the future of conservatism see Becker and Posner this week.
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