R.I.P. social conservatism: Why it’s dying — and the coming realignment

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Social conservatism as we know it emerged as a reaction to the social movements of the 60s and is quickly becoming irrelevant. Before the 60s, the idea of social conservatism didn't exist but there were still cultural attitudes that we'd consider to be more socially conservative than others and demographic groups that we'd consider to be more progressive on social issues. This will be the case in the future as well. Opposition to drug liberalization, gay marriage, abortion, flag burning, gun control and a whole plethora of issues that emerged out of the 60s will not drive people to vote for Democrats or Republicans at the ballot box in a few decades. This does not mean that a re-alignment is under way but rather that the shape of movement conservatism is rapidly shifting.

Outside of what social scientists would describe as an "exogenous shock" like a revival of evangelical christianity, social conservatism is dead. There's a reason why no serious presidential candidate would prominently place themselves in opposition to gay marriage, abortion and in support of family values: they'd receive scorn and appear out of touch.