Old Right (United States)

The term "Old Right" in the United States refers to a loosely defined, primarily pre-World War II conservative movement and intellectual tradition. It is generally characterized by a strong emphasis on:

• Limited Government: A belief in minimal government intervention in the economy and individual lives. This often translated to opposition to the New Deal and its expansion of the federal government.

• Fiscal Conservatism: Advocacy for low taxes, balanced budgets, and minimal government debt.

• Non-Interventionism: A foreign policy that favored avoiding entanglement in foreign conflicts and alliances. This was rooted in a suspicion of foreign influence and a focus on domestic concerns. Many were skeptical of, or outright opposed to, U.S. involvement in both World Wars.

• Individual Liberty: Emphasis on personal responsibility and the protection of individual rights, often interpreted through a classical liberal lens.

• Constitutionalism: Strict adherence to the original intent of the U.S. Constitution.

• Decentralization: A preference for power residing at the state and local levels rather than the federal government.

Key figures associated with the Old Right include writers and thinkers like Albert Jay Nock, Garet Garrett, and H.L. Mencken. Their ideas were often disseminated through publications such as The American Mercury.

The Old Right's influence waned after World War II, as a new conservative movement, often referred to as the "New Right," emerged that was more aligned with interventionist foreign policy (particularly anti-communism), and a more robust role for government in promoting traditional values. Some scholars argue that aspects of the Old Right's ideology influenced the later libertarian movement and certain strands of paleoconservatism.