Kathmandu— In the era of Donald Trump, a significant portion of what is labeled as 'liberalism' in American politics has been co-opted by conservative ideologies. This shift is exemplified by the embrace of former Bush-era conservatives and their alignment with mainstream liberal outlets, effectively narrowing the range of acceptable political discourse to the right.

The Rightward Drift of Mainstream Liberalism

Adolph Reed Jr. observed that electoral politics has overshadowed substantive policy discussions on the left, leading to a situation where figures like Bill Kristol can be celebrated at liberal conferences despite their conservative track records. This trend is part of a broader phenomenon where self-proclaimed 'liberals' align with former conservatives who have distanced themselves from Trump but maintain traditional right-wing stances on issues such as war and civil liberties.

Craig Harrington of Media Matters for America noted that outlets like MSNBC have increasingly hired conservative defectors, further blurring the lines between liberal and conservative ideologies. This shift has resulted in a political spectrum that is now firmly anchored to the right, with any progressive or left-leaning positions being marginalized as unacceptable.

The Impact on Political Discourse

The reconfiguration of the political landscape under Trump has led to a situation where opposition to Trump alone does not equate to adherence to liberal values. Many so-called 'liberals' have embraced conservative policies and figures without critically examining their past actions or commitments. This dynamic has created an environment where the acceptable range of political positions is confined to the right, with any genuine critique of war, inequality, or corporate power being dismissed as extreme.

William Gillis, a veteran anarchist activist, distinguishes between historical forms of liberalism that championed liberty against power and modern 'liberalism' which functions more as a party of order. This newer form of liberalism is characterized by its alignment with conservative values and institutions, effectively stabilizing the political consensus of the ruling class.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.