Ben Woodfinden is a former director of communications for Pierre Poilievre. He has practical experience inside politics mixed with theoretical study and work as a consultant. When Ben speaks, people listen. Debate about first principles has finally returned to the Canadian non-left. A new, mostly younger group of conservative writers and speakers have challenged the status quo. Young people, especially, find that Canada does not work well. Home ownership is a fairytale. Safe cities are nostalgia. And Canadian patriotism is embarrassing and unkind. The new right refuses to accept these presuppositions. They want politicians who have a vested interest in celebrating Canada itself. What does this mean for conservative politics? How will this debate turn out? Ben Woodfinden makes sense of it all for us. Links: Still Lamenting? Canada, Grantian Conservatism in the Twenty-first Century, and the Paradoxes of Grant’s Conservatism Reading Grant in the 21st Century The new conservative fight isn't red vs. blue. It's young vs. old The Enduring Appeal of Red Toryism   AI Summary: The New Right and Red Toryism: A Deep Dive with Ben Woodfinden In this episode of Concepts, Shawn Whatley hosts Ben Woodfinden, a consultant, doctoral student, and political theorist, to discuss the dynamics of the new right in Canada. Ben, a prominent contributor to conservative circles, highlights the generational divide in conservatism, and explores whether the real issue is young versus old rather than red versus blue. The discussion delves into political philosophy, particularly focusing on Red Toryism, a distinct Canadian tradition combining status interventionism for conservative ends. Ben also touches on the philosophical underpinnings of conservatism, the importance of grounding politics in first principles, and the future of Canadian identity. This thought-provoking episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of Canadian conservatism. 00:00 Introduction: The New Right in Canada 00:27 Meet Ben Woodfinden: A Conservative Thought Leader 01:08 The New Conservative Fight: Young vs. Old 01:21 Diving into Red Toryism 01:55 Understanding the Conservative Movement 02:20 Ben Woodfinden's Insights on Conservatism 04:30 Generational Divides in Conservatism 08:55 Philosophical Foundations of Conservatism 09:46 The Role of Government and Human Nature 18:12 Classical Liberalism vs. Conservatism 27:03 Liberalism's Historical Context and Limits 30:18 Red Toryism and Human Nature 30:54 Exploring Different Perspectives on the State 31:49 Understanding Toryism and Red Toryism 32:46 The Evolution and Misinterpretation of Red Toryism 33:49 The Canadian Conservative Tradition 35:54 The Role of the State in Canadian Society 41:16 George Grant's Influence and Philosophy 43:00 Modern Reflections on Grant's Ideas 56:08 The Importance of Belief Systems in Modern Society 59:54 Concluding Thoughts on Canadian Identity