The Unhappy Marriage of Capitalism and Conservatism

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http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/the-unhappy-marriage-of-capitalism-and-conservatism/?ref=business

One explanation of Mitt Romney’s defeat in the presidential race focuses on the growing demographic diversity of the electorate. The declining share of white men in the voting population clearly had an impact. But another underlying factor – one that reflects economic rather than demographic dynamics – also deserves consideration.


The economic interests of capitalists (defined as those who earn most of their income from capital) are beginning to diverge significantly from the interests of social conservatives (defined as those who prefer traditional gender relations and oppose government efforts to promote racial and ethnic equality).

In other words, the symbolic marriage of capitalism and conservatism is showing signs of strain.

It was never an idyllic relationship. The early growth of capitalism weakened the pre-existing patriarchal feudal system. In the late 18th century, Edmund Burke, the Irish writer and member of Parliament considered one of the founders of modern conservatism, famously warned that the single-minded pursuit of economic self-interest would undermine hallowed traditions.