Alex Massie Alex Massie

Idiosyncratic Local Communities

An interesting post, as always, from Jim Manzi:

I’ve written often about the need for renewing the conservative- libertarian fusion, why I think this is a natural alliance, and the terms on which I think it should be forged. The actions of an assertive liberal (in the contemporary American sense) government are starting to illustrate this to the most interesting of those writers often termed crunchy cons, who often think of themselves in direct opposition to a hyper-individualized, commercial political culture on the Right. That is, as among the least natural candidates for fusionism imaginable. The nature of this alliance is simple: crunchy cons want government to be limited to allow space for idiosyncratic local communities. It is a grudging acceptance of limits, rather than a full-throated embrace of large-scale politics. This strikes me as a healthy view of the role of politics.

There’s something to this. Most especially, the presence of so many “idiosyncratic local communities” is one of the greatest aspects of American life and one of those most vital to any realisation of the American Dream. The promise of America is not just that immigrants from anywhere on the planet can aspire to make their way and fortune in the United States, it is that those already living in the US can find a community, somewhere, that best fits their needs, interests and desires. In other words, when we think of multi-culturalism we should also be thinking about localism and the freedom of individuals and communities to organise their own lives as they see fit. Culture is not merely a matter of race or religion.

On a larger scale that means rolling back the federal government so more, not less, is done at state level. If people in Maine think what Alabamans want is nuts (and vice versa) then that’s fine.

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