"Old Right" Tactical Disadvantage Against "New Right" Attributed to Slower OODA Loop

A social media commentator, identified as "Harry Bergeron," recently asserted that the "Old Right" is destined to lose against the "New Right" due to a slower "OODA loop," inferior human capital, and a less accurate understanding of reality. The commentator likened the "Old Right's" current strategic position to "Panzers in -30° Moscow," suggesting a fundamental maladaptation to the contemporary political landscape. This statement highlights a perceived tactical and informational disparity between distinct conservative factions.

The "OODA loop," an acronym for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act, is a decision-making model developed by military strategist Colonel John Boyd. It emphasizes the importance of rapid observation, orientation, decision-making, and action to gain an advantage over an adversary. In a political context, a faster OODA loop implies a greater ability to adapt to changing circumstances, process information efficiently, and execute strategies more effectively than an opponent.

Historically, the "Old Right" in the United States, prominent from the 1910s to the mid-1950s, was characterized by its defense of tradition, limited government, and often non-interventionist foreign policy. In contrast, the "New Right," emerging in the post-World War II era and gaining prominence from the 1960s onward, embraced a more combative stance, often incorporating social conservatism and an assertive anti-communism, as seen in the movements that propelled figures like Ronald Reagan. The commentator's remarks suggest that the "Old Right's" methodologies and perspectives are outdated for modern political engagement.

The tweet further criticized the "Old Right's" "bad or good-yet-misaligned human capital" and "inferior information landscape," leading to a "less accurate map of reality." This implies that the "Old Right" may struggle with recruiting and deploying talent effectively, and its information gathering and analysis capabilities are insufficient to grasp the complexities of current political dynamics. The "New Right," by implication, is presented as possessing superior capabilities in these critical areas, allowing it to navigate and influence the political terrain more successfully.