Can Peter Thiel Save Conservatism?
The technology billionaire has a compelling worldview, but he lacks a realistic agenda.
What’s on the agenda?
Photographer: Stephanie Keith/Getty ImagesThe stated purpose of last week’s National Conservatism conference in Washington was “to recover and reconsolidate the rich tradition of national conservative thought.” The unstated goal was to rescue nationalism from the likes of Steve Bannon.
It is a task larger than any one person, but it is telling that the man selected to give the opening address was Peter Thiel, the venture capitalist and technology entrepreneur. Thiel succeeded in making news with his comments about Google (“seemingly treasonous”) and the U.S. trade war with China (President Donald Trump’s “signature achievement”). He was less successful, however, in articulating a kinder, gentler nationalism.