To the Editor:
Christopher DeMuth's essay, "Trumpism, Nationalism, and Conservatism," skillfully delineates the real and critical battle between the two ideal-types he calls Anywheres and Somewheres (Claremont Review of Books, Winter 2018/19). The former are "cosmopolitan, educated, mobile, and networked," while the latter "are rooted in ... their families, neighborhoods, clubs, and religions."
Well done. But, reading his analysis, I noted that while author DeMuth, CRB editor Charles Kesler, and this reader unanimously favor the Somewhere viewpoint, we don't exactly fit its mold:
- DeMuth: One degree from each of The Lawrenceville School, Harvard and the University of Chicago, instructor at Harvard, lawyer at Sidley & Austin, White House aide, Reagan's "deregulation czar," president of the American Enterprise Institute.
- Kesler: Three degrees from Harvard, Dengler-Dykema Distinguished Professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College, recipient of the Bradley Prize, vice chairman of a Congressional commission.
- Pipes: Learned French in Swiss boarding school, two Harvard degrees, instructor at the University of Chicago and Harvard, frequent New York Times author, two presidential appointments, invited to audition for the World Economic Forum.
In short, we three quintessential Anywheres share Somewhere views. Conversely, former bartender Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former welfare recipient Rashida Tlaib spout Anywhere-ism.
My implication: Each of us makes up his own mind. Ideal-types have their limitations.
Daniel Pipes
Middle East Forum
Philadelphia, PA
