Conservative parties in the West have often blamed the left for societal decline, but a closer examination reveals that center-right parties share significant responsibility for the current state of affairs. For decades, these parties have held power in various forms, yet they have failed to uphold the values they profess to protect.

In France, the Gaullists and their successors, including the RPR, UMP, and Les Républicains, dominated the political landscape for much of the Fifth Republic. Despite their long tenure, they did little to conserve the nation’s identity. Immigration increased, but efforts at assimilation faltered. The French right did not lose ground in a battle; rather, they surrendered key principles without resistance. Leaders who claimed to defend the Republic’s identity replaced conviction with caution and sovereignty with symbolism. They advocated for integration while allowing the emergence of parallel societies in the banlieues, all the while maintaining that national unity could endure as a mere slogan.

Germany presents a similar narrative. The Christian Democrats, including the CDU and CSU, have been a dominant force in postwar politics. Under Angela Merkel, however, the country’s identity underwent a significant transformation. Her decision in 2015 to welcome over a million migrants was not a leftist initiative but a choice made by the conservative establishment. This action, framed as a moral obligation, disrupted the European consensus and destabilized domestic politics. Merkel’s approach suggested that sentiment could replace sovereignty, a notion that has had lasting repercussions for Germany.

Across Europe, conservative parties in countries like Britain, Spain, Italy, and Scandinavia have also held power for extended periods. They had opportunities to tighten immigration policies and reinforce national pride but often opted for a more cautious approach. These parties prioritized respectability and the avoidance of being labeled as cruel or reactionary. Their leadership style has been characterized more by management than by decisive action, allowing institutions to deteriorate out of fear of offending potential critics.

In North America, the trend is evident as well. In Canada, the Progressive Conservatives and later the Conservative Party oversaw the establishment and expansion of official multiculturalism. This policy, supported by both Liberal and Conservative governments, shifted national identity from a shared experience to one that is merely managed. The legacy of leaders like Brian Mulroney reflects a broader pattern of conservative parties failing to confront the challenges facing their nations, ultimately contributing to the cultural and political landscape that many now criticize.