Conservative Populism

A Time to Expand

The modern conservative movement has been fractured for some time. Organizations like Reagan Caucus, and Freedom Conservatism seek to rebuild and repair the movement. To be successful, they must not shy away from the populist wave, but embrace it.

Populism, at its core, is a reaction to a government that feels distant, unresponsive, and controlled by elites. When people feel unheard—whether it’s the factory worker, the small business owner, or the struggling family—they turn to movements that promise to shake up the system. In modern America, we’ve seen this frustration explode in different forms: Occupy Wall Street, which decried wealth concentration and corporate influence, and the Tea Party, which railed against taxation and government overreach. Both movements, though ideologically different, stemmed from the same fundamental problem—a government that no longer seemed to work for the people.

This is nothing new. In 1789, the commoners of the Third Estate in France faced the same frustrations. Wealth was hoarded at the top, and they carried the tax burden while having little political power. Their solution? Representation. By demanding a greater voice in governance, they sought to rebalance power and ensure the system worked for them, not just the elite.

The movement of the Third Estate failed because, despite securing representation in the National Assembly, it lacked institutional guardrails to prevent radicalization, leading to the Reign of Terror and the eventual rise of authoritarian rule under Napoleon. Without a system of federalism or decentralized power, all authority was concentrated in Paris, making it easier for extreme factions to seize control and suppress opposition.

Unlike the U.S. system, which disperses power across states and branches of government, revolutionary France had no structural mechanisms to balance competing interests, allowing revolutionary spirit to spiral into chaos rather than lasting reform.

Despite the strengths of the American Republic, it faces a similar imbalance today. The House of Representatives—designed to be the people's voice—was capped at 435 members in 1929, while the population has more than tripled. The result? Power is more concentrated than ever, and ordinary Americans feel locked out of the system. Expanding the House is the key to addressing modern populism. It would bring government closer to the people, dilute the influence of money and special interests, and ensure that the growing frustration of the common citizen is met with representation, not just rhetoric.

Conservatism thrives when it grounds itself in stability, order, and institutional legitimacy. Populism, on the other hand, is fueled by frustration and the belief that the system no longer serves the people. Rather than resisting populism outright, an innovative conservative movement should embrace its energy while channeling it into constructive, institutional reform—namely, expanding representation.

By giving people a stronger voice in government, conservatives can temper the more radical impulses of populism, steering it away from destructive upheaval and toward meaningful change within the system. Expanding the House would bring governance closer to the people, cooling resentment by making representation more responsive and local.

It would also create new electoral opportunities, allowing conservatives to compete in newly drawn districts while reinforcing the constitutional principle that power should remain with the people. By leading on this issue, conservatism can shape populism into a force for renewal rather than disruption, securing both political stability and a more engaged citizenry.

The conservative movement has become too intellectual, often prioritizing think tank theories and policy white papers over the real concerns of working-class Americans. Blue-collar conservatives—who value hard work, tradition, and community—are the backbone of the movement, yet they are often overlooked by elites who focus more on abstract principles than practical solutions. To stay relevant and genuinely represent the people, conservatism must embrace these working-class voters, addressing their struggles with an agenda that prioritizes economic opportunity, national security, and a government that listens to them.

Conservatives should recognize the opportunity here. The movement needs a faction of conservative populists to help expand the sphere of influence and secure electoral victories. Embracing expanding representation as a policy reform can achieve this goal. Conservativism needs to recognize that the government is broken and give people an answer to fix it, not just another set of principles. A government that actually listens to its people would not only reduce the anger fueling populism but also set the U.S. on a stronger, more stable path.

Peace & Love,

Jeff Mayhugh