The new conservatism

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Jürgen Habermas is renowned for his scholarly work on the human sciences, but The New Conservatism reveals his role as a keen commentator on contemporary issues. The 1980s marked a pivotal decade in the political landscape of Western democracies, particularly in the Federal Republic of Germany, transitioning from 13 years of Social Democratic leadership to conservative Christian Democratic governance. This collection of essays captures the political and cultural transformations of that time, united by the theme of Germany's struggle to confront its past—a challenge with broader implications beyond its borders. Notably, Habermas addresses the Historian's Debate, critiquing revisionist historians who seek to trivialize the Nazi era, advocating instead for a nuanced understanding of its history and legacy. He also engages with the controversy surrounding Martin Heidegger's ties to Nazism and the emergence of the neoconservative movement in Europe and the U.S. In the essay on The New Obscurity, Habermas intertwines his critique of welfare state issues with reflections on the potential for contemporary utopian aspirations.