We Must All Be Left Conservatives Now

In his New Statesman article, “We Must All Be Left Conservatives Now,” Lee Siegel considers Norman Mailer’s self-description as a “Left conservative” from The Armies of the Night. Siegel interprets this term as a blend of progressive economic policies with a desire to preserve cultural traditions. He argues that Mailer’s perspective resonates today, as many individuals seek governmental intervention for economic equity while valuing societal stability. Siegel suggests that Mailer’s nuanced stance offers a framework for understanding contemporary political dynamics, where traditional labels like “liberal” and “conservative” are increasingly inadequate.