Redefining Conservatism in America

American conservatives have traditionally supported a free market domestically, free trade internationally, low taxes, limited regulation, and a limited federal government. Today, however, many Republicans and conservatives accept the possibility of higher deficits in their efforts to reduce taxes and support a tariff-based trade policy. Father to the right, interest grows in authoritarian approaches. What, then, defines modern American conservatism, and who are today’s standard-bearers for conservative principles?