"RESCUING the right" is not an occupation that appeals to everybody. Especially at election time when the right in question is the right of Preston Manning and Mike Harris, rather than the old regime of so-called Red Tories like former PC leader Robert Stanfield or ex-PM Joe Clark.
This slim volume, however, will be eagerly consumed by an army of political aides and campaign strategists of all stripes, gleaning what they may from it. The authors' clearly stated purpose is to offer some suggestions for the rejuvenation of conservatism so that it may serve as an alternative political culture.
That purpose, it appears, transcends worries about the immediate political fortunes of the new Conservative Party.
The authors are both thirtysomething and have backgrounds in journalism and political activism. Adam Daifallah is a law student at Laval University in Quebec City. Tasha Kheiriddin is the Ontario director of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation in Toronto.
Their opinion is that a revived right needs to build an infrastructure and promote viable free-market solutions to a number of current problems. Particularly significant as potential targets of such new efforts are the media, university campuses, voters in Quebec, immigrants and others.
These groups are seen by conservatives as trouble spots and, in many instances, they are correct in doing so. For example, some media people will no doubt greet attacks on their impartiality (or lack of it) as another example of right-wing paranoia; perhaps some will insert "extreme" in front of "right-wing."
Yet there is sufficient empirical and anecdotal evidence to suggest that there is a real problem in the relationship between the right and much of the media.
The Kheirridin and Daifallah solution includes the greater use of blogs as alternative sources of opinion, and changes in legislation to require major networks (one suspects the CBC is the main target) to aim at better balance in their news coverage.
Moreover, there is no doubt that university campuses are not places where conservatism is much valued. Although the tendency is somewhat exaggerated, it does seem to be the case that especially in faculties of humanities and social sciences, students are likely be exposed to a steady diet of left-of-centre opinions among the professoriate.
The authors are both fans of think-tanks that could, presumably, offset the one-sidedness of campus opinion, and provide benefits to society in general. Such institutions have played a major role in the United States in popularizing conservative thought.
However, it appears that big business hangs on to its money longer in this country and is less prone to spend it politically. Some of it, too, goes to the Liberals.
Perhaps recent changes in campaign finance legislation, which largely prohibit corporate or union support of political parties, will make it easier for think-tanks to persuade big business to open its collective wallet.
There are other suggestions for building a conservative superstructure and some intriguing discussions outlining free-market approaches to such issues as the environment and health care constitute the rest of the book.
Some will naturally question whether the right is worth saving. Some will dream nostalgically of the late, storied PC party.
Yet one cannot avoid respect for the authors' rigorous approach and their check list of factors, although some may find many of their solutions vague or a bit silly. One has to admire their honesty and intellectual acumen.
But the fact is that these two young authors are destined for stardom, nay, guru status on the right wing. And, who knows, perhaps their solutions may even work.
Geoff Lambert teaches political science at the University of Manitoba.
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