TL;DR

In Once and Future Liberal Institutionalism, published in Liberal Currents, Rob Tracinski explores the growing anti-institutional sentiment in American politics, particularly within the conservative movement. He argues that while the left historically distrusted institutions, it is now the right that actively seeks to dismantle them, particularly under Donald Trump’s influence.

Tracinki's article traces this shift from the Tea Party to MAGA populism, highlighting how institutional destruction has replaced reform as a conservative priority. Tracinski calls for liberals to defend and rebuild institutions, warning that if they collapse, chaos and authoritarianism will fill the void.

Historically, conservatives saw institutions as pillars of stability and tradition, but today’s correct targets them for destruction. This shift is particularly evident in Trump’s Republican Party, which portrays institutions like the FBI, military, and intelligence agencies as part of the “Deep State.”

Figures like Kash Patel (FBI) and Tulsi Gabbard (DNI) have been appointed to weaken institutional authority. Tracinski argues that conservatives, feeling culturally defeated since the 2015 Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, have abandoned reform in favor of destruction.

The Tea Party movement (2010–2015) originally championed limited government but evolved into a reactionary populist force. Libertarians and mainstream conservatives embraced conspiracy theories, fueling what Matt Yglesias calls “The Crank Realignment”—where anti-establishment figures migrate rightward, intensifying the war on institutions.

Tracinski calls for liberals to defend institutions, referencing G.K. Chesterton’s Fence, which warns against dismantling systems without understanding their purpose. While institutions need reform, their destruction only empowers chaos and authoritarian figures.

Concluding Reflections

Tracinski’s article warns that if institutions collapse, democracy itself is at risk. The right’s embrace of institutional destruction, from media to science to public health, threatens liberal governance. Instead of conceding ground, liberals must champion institutionalism, ensuring that governance remains functional in the digital age. Tracinski argues that if institutions fail, they will be replaced not by innovation but by authoritarian control. Liberal institutionalism is no longer optional but necessary for preserving democracy against populism.

Thanks for reading. Please write your feedback and follow me.