R: Conservatives Should be Illiberal (Alumni Debate)

Illiberalism is often viewed in a pejorative light. Alternate definitions of the word include bigoted and closed-minded. However, even when viewed in its traditional sense, the word is commonly aligned with democratic backsliding, the rise of authoritarianism, and the degradation of human rights or personal freedoms. I foresee two central questions arising out of this definition. Firstly, are these equivalencies necessary, or are they merely accidental? Secondly, should we even be advocating for those institutions that are lauded for being cornerstones of liberal democracy? As to this first question, many members of our party who are ready to advocate against democracy and for a monarchy or aristocracy are certainly not advocating for the destruction of human rights. That being said, they may necessarily be advocating for some degree of restriction to personal freedom. In regards to the second question, just last spring, our party debated whether to hold elections in the first place. Before that debate, our former Guardian Mr. Yen wondered “…how often those who reside in liberal democratic countries pause to consider the absurdity of holding elections.” He was not confident that in the masses’ ability “…not to be myopic, fickle, and irrational on election day.” This semester, our party voted to censor obscenity— an act proper to the individual-freedom-restricting tendencies of illiberalism.

 On the other hand, should conservatives really be comfortable with avidly embracing illiberalism? The rise of “illiberal democracies” in most notably Hungary have caused a lot of concern in the West. It seems that, no matter what idealistic visions of an election-free, obscenity-void, (Catholic?) monarchy we hold, in reality, the rise of illiberalism is always tied to the various degradations mentioned above. Are we comfortable embracing these real-world consequences? Then again, we are in a moment where confidence in democracy is faltering worldwide. Should conservatives fight to maintain our liberal democracy? Or should we work to make illiberalism reasonable? 

I look forward to hearing all speeches on the topic for our alumni debate R: Conservatives Should be Illiberal. Please join us on Friday, May 9th, 2021 at 7:30 PM EST.