Instead of fixating on the United Nation’s Agenda 21 as a supposed threat to American liberties, conservatives should articulate fiscally responsible, market-driven policies to address the very real challenges facing local governments in the United States.

by James A. Bacon

The anti-Agenda 21 movement, which views the United Nations as the prime mover behind local sustainability initiatives, is a growing force in many states and local governments across the United States. While anti-Agenda 21 theorists share some of the same language and principles as mainstream conservatives, they have little meaningful to contribute to the debate over environmental, transportation, land-use and property-rights issues. Their ill-documented conspiracy talk distracts from the kind of discussions that conservatives should be having. To govern effectively, conservative elected officials need to re-frame the debate over growth and development in a way that is forward-looking, grounded in hard facts and in line with conservative values.

The Anti-Agenda 21 Movement

Over the past few years, the anti-Agenda 21 cause has emerged from obscurity into a force capable of pushing resolutions through state legislatures. The movement is populist and decentralized — many adherents are ordinary citizens whose passions have been inflamed in local land-use disputes — although it does have the backing of the John Birch Society and talk show personality Glen Beck. In some states, Anti-Agenda 21 partisans have leveraged their influence by co-opting local Tea Parties and other groups sympathetic to property rights and limited government. Sometimes they find a sympathetic ear among conservative elected officials. But they also use aggressive means – packing public meetings, singling out politicians for vocal criticism – to intimidate local officials with more moderate views into going along.

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