, Columnist
Republicans Like Europe — Whether They Know It or Not
The so-called New Right likes to complain about Europeans, but when it comes to policy, a lot of their ideas would make the US more like the continent.
Who wouldn’t want this?
Photographer: Kiran Ridley/AFP
Once upon a time, Republicans saw America as a “shining city upon a hill” with “free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity.” Now, based on some of their comments and policies, the party’s vision for the country is for less consumption, fewer choices, a bigger welfare state, a larger manufacturing sector and cheaper drugs. In general, today’s Republicans idealize the past and favor a slower-moving world.
In other words, what Republicans want is Europe.