Concepts and ideologies

In many countries, including parts of the West and India, conservative ideologies and right-wing parties have gained traction by presenting themselves as defenders of tradition, national identity, and moral values. These movements often resonate with individuals who feel that liberal policies have disrupted social cohesion or undermined cultural values. Additionally, liberal policies concerning multiculturalism or certain expressions of ideological tolerance have at times been perceived as leniency, especially when controversial ideologies—such as those associated with extremism-are given space for discourse under the banner of free expression. Nowhere is the divide more evident than in the West where liberalism is pitted against conservatism. Issues like abortion, gender identity, same-sex marriage, and religious expression have created cultural divides that right-wing movements exploit by promoting traditional values. This division has often been exacerbated by a perception that liberalism enforces “political correctness” or imposes values without room for dissent. This shift is part of a larger pattern in which liberalism’s very strength-its commitment to individual rights and freedoms-is sometimes viewed as compromising collective values or security. Many conservative movements argue that liberal policies on issues like immigration, cultural diversity, and identity politics have led to divisions and societal friction. Liberal policies that provide welfare support to immigrants have led to debates about economic sustainability. Many citizens feel that the welfare system, initially designed for national populations, is being overextended, creating resentment among taxpayers who see this as an unfair allocation of resources. They propose a return to national values or stricter social structures as remedies for what they see as liberalism’s excesses. This is ongoing in the USA where the Conservative Party under Trump have vowed to check and regulate influx of millions of illegal immigrants under the Democratic Party. India is another example where the friction between liberal-secular ideology is pitted against right wing conservatism. The frustration in parts of Western Europe with liberal immigration policies has indeed led to a significant political shift, pushing many voters toward right-wing parties. This shift is largely driven by concerns around social cohesion, economic strain, and national identity. In India, for instance, the right-wing political wave, led predominantly by parties like the BJP, reflects a pushback against what many perceive as Westernized or secular liberal values that don’t align with traditional Indian cultural and religious identity. This trend echoes similar patterns in countries where right-wing conservatism has re-emerged as a counter to perceived liberal overreach. While liberalism seeks to uphold inclusivity and human rights, these ideals have encountered resistance from citizens who feel that their own economic security, cultural identity, and national sovereignty are at risk. Terrorist attacks and other security incidents involving individuals from immigrant backgrounds have added fuel to these concerns. Right-wing parties, in response, often advocate for more stringent vetting processes and even reductions in immigration from certain regions to address these fears. For many native citizens, the presence of large immigrant populations feels like a shift in the cultural fabric of their countries. When long-standing customs, language, and social norms appear to be in flux, conservative parties appeal to voters by emphasizing a return to traditional values and prioritizing the preservation of national identity. In many ways, liberalism’s core values-openness, tolerance, and inclusivity-have been perceived as double-edged swords, especially when paired with socio-economic, race and religious anxieties. Right-wing ideologies are gaining momentum by addressing these anxieties head-on, often appealing to a sense of order, tradition, and national pride.