New Right’s “civilizationism” emerges as a rival U.S. grand strategy

Within the New Right, a new strategic vision called civilizationism is taking shape, defining the West by territory, shared ancestry and Christianity rather than universal liberal values. Advocates call for U.S. dominance over the Western Hemisphere, active interference in Europe to uphold their version of Western norms, and a hands-off approach toward other civilizations, including tolerating Chinese regional hegemony.

This framework opposes both liberal internationalism’s creedal outlook and the traditional primacy model, offering an ideological justification for spheres of influence. While Trump’s rhetoric echoes civilizationist themes, his policies—particularly the continued involvement in the Middle East and support for Israel—often conflict with the doctrine’s more restrained, region-focused agenda. The movement is fragmented, with factions ranging from post-liberal Catholics to Christian nationalists, yet it is gaining institutional footholds in think-tanks and policy institutes linked to figures like JD Vance, Ron DeSantis and Tucker Carlson. Should the New Right prevail over establishment Republicans, civilizationism could reshape U.S. foreign policy, though its internal contradictions and practical challenges remain significant.