The International Ideal.
Differences Between the Left and Conservatives Part II
The International Ideal.
On the political left, there is often support for international authorities that impose global standards or regulations. Institutions such as the World Economic Forum (WEF), the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Union (EU) can pressure national governments to comply with their decisions—sometimes regardless of citizens’ wishes. This dynamic has been evident in recent years, as seen in Brexit, where the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU over sovereignty concerns. Similarly, countries like Poland have criticized EU policies for undermining local autonomy and threatening Europe’s cohesion. Prominent figures such as J.D. Vance have accused European leaders of stifling free speech and mismanaging immigration, which they attribute to EU leadership.
Javier Milei has also criticized continental and global bodies, framing them as part of a collectivist agenda that undermines liberty and private property. He has singled out the WEF for advancing what he calls “wokeism,” feminism, and other progressive policies, which he argues justify expanding state power.
These policies and agendas have prompted major powers such as the United States to withdraw from certain international agreements or organizations, and have led countries like China to sometimes express support for these initiatives without fully implementing them.
For conservatives, skepticism of centralized power is foundational. They believe that concentrating power—whether in the UN, the federal government, or any large institution—increases the risk of misuse or overreach. In the United States, significant authority is reserved for states rather than the federal government. The Founding Fathers intentionally divided power among local, state, and federal levels to prevent any single entity from becoming too powerful. For conservatives, liberty is the guiding principle, and preserving local control and individual freedoms is paramount.
