3 Steps to Address the Growth of European Populism

An anti-Brexit demonstrator waves flags outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain, September 10, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
September 28, 2018 Topic: Security Region: Europe

3 Steps to Address the Growth of European Populism

European populists are not out to deconstruct the European project. So what do they want?

There is a pull and tug in the United States as well—preserving our national identity, zealously guarding our sovereignty and recognizing that, in our self-interest, the United States must act in a community of friendly and allied nations to protect our freedoms.

American and European conservatives will never amount a common political movement. Yet they are sufficiently like-minded enough to recognize the value of supporting each other, the value of honest dialogue to understand one another, and the importance of working in trust and confidence. They can build a common dialogue and be an important bridge in the transatlantic discussion.

In particular, the transatlantic conservative conversation has to center on what binds the transatlantic community together and what marks the West as a distinctive civilization worth protecting. This could be just the beginning. A healthy discussion among transatlantic conservatives could grow into a broader dialogue that gives peoples something common to talk about rather than just something to get riled up about.

A Heritage Foundation vice president, James Jay Carafano directs the think tank’s research on issues of national security and foreign relations.

Image: An anti-Brexit demonstrator waves flags outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain, September 10, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay