As is well known, the distinction in politics between “right” and “left” has long since lost its raison d’être. Today, the division between progressives and conservatives is more valid. Progressive or conservative ideas that take root in the two camps of the old “right” and “left”.
We must consign these obsolete concepts to the annals of history. But once we have rid ourselves of the words “right” and “left” we must understand the differences, analyze this antagonistic global tension between conservatives and progressives, because this exhausting struggle is tearing the world apart.
The first observation is that the two movements, although different, basically accept liberal principles such as capital, the market, human rights and private property. The differences, and this is the second observation, are more about the anthropological vision, about what identifies and defines the essence of man.
Progressivism is centered on human rights and those of the individual, on diversity as the highest value, under the guidance of an elite of boring wise men who tell the rest of the world what is right and what is good. Conservatism is based on an exaltation of group, tribal unity. On the identity that is granted to human beings, by the nation, by the culture, by the territory. On the greedy hunger for land, on sovereignty, as if it were the only way to get rid of the anxiety of life. Identity on one side, difference on the other.
Progressivism can only get lost in the fog of the most vulgar individualism. And in fact it has been lost. Conservatism can get lost in the defense of tribal identity. And in fact it is being lost. Naturally the two movements are each other’s radicalization and one created by the other, because each is born out of antagonistic irritation. They represent a dipole that is united by a common reason: the loss of transcendence. So: idolatry of the ego or idolatry of the tribe? Two senseless poles that are tearing each other apart. It doesn’t seem possible for men to live together without aggression or divorce. Christians can only reflect on the famous phrase of St. Augustine: Quid sunt regna sine iustitia, nisi latrocinia? What are kingdoms if they do not have justice, if not theft?
Justice is sadly absent from media discussions, but without it the state is a gang of thieves. It is up to us to seek the justice that only comes from spirits cultivated in transcendence.
The only way to continue living is to go beyond what we experience, beyond the limits of our life experience, not as an escape, but as a deeply and truly human experience. To finally rediscover the meaning of things. A project that is unpopular with progressives who, in a delirium of diversity, no longer accept any truth. But it is also unpopular with conservatives, who try to simplify the complexity of life by clinging, like a boat in a storm, to a picture of the good old days, to the memory of the tribe, to the concept of a nation that never existed. But outside the winds are raging, the sails are trembling and there is no way out if you don’t know how to steer the ship.
The progressives pretend to be adults, the conservatives become children again. Most people are strangers to maturity. Discouraged, we approach the abyss.