8.3 The evolution of conservative political thought
3 min read•august 7, 2024
Conservative political thought has evolved over time, branching into various strands. emphasizes and gradual change, while advocates for spending and free market principles.
Social and focus on preserving and integrating religious beliefs into politics. supports , while emphasizes and . These diverse perspectives shape modern conservative ideology.
Classical and Fiscal Conservatism
Classical Conservatism
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- Emphasizes tradition, established institutions, and
- Believes in gradual change and reform rather than radical upheaval
- Supports a strong state to maintain and hierarchy ()
- Values the wisdom of past generations and the organic nature of society
- Skeptical of abstract theories and utopian ideals ()
Fiscal Conservatism
- Advocates for limited government spending, low taxes, and balanced budgets
- Believes in free market principles and minimal government intervention in the economy
- Supports deregulation, privatization, and reducing the size of the public sector
- Emphasizes and self-reliance over government assistance
- Argues that lower taxes incentivize investment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth
Libertarian Conservatism
- Combines classical liberal principles with conservative values
- Prioritizes individual liberty, private property rights, and the rule of law
- Supports a minimal state focused on protecting individual rights and
- Advocates for free trade, open borders, and a non-interventionist foreign policy
- Opposes government interference in personal and economic affairs (drug prohibition, gun control)
Social and Religious Conservatism
Social Conservatism
- Seeks to preserve traditional moral values and social norms
- Opposes progressive social changes such as same-sex marriage and abortion rights
- Believes in the importance of the traditional family structure and gender roles
- Supports strict law enforcement and tough penalties for crime
- Emphasizes personal responsibility, self-discipline, and respect for
Religious Conservatism
- Integrates religious beliefs and values into political ideology
- Advocates for the role of religion in public life and decision-making
- Supports policies that align with religious teachings (school prayer, creationism)
- Opposes secularization and the separation of church and state
- Believes in the of religious institutions and leaders
Compassionate Conservatism
- Combines conservative principles with a concern for social welfare
- Advocates for government support for faith-based and
- Supports targeted assistance for the poor, elderly, and disadvantaged
- Emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and self-help
- Believes in the power of to address social problems (private charities, volunteerism)
Neoconservatism and Paleoconservatism
Neoconservatism
- Emerged in the 1960s among former liberals who embraced conservative ideas
- Supports a robust and interventionist foreign policy to promote democracy and American interests
- Advocates for the use of to confront threats and spread liberal values
- Believes in the importance of a strong national defense and the role of the US
- Supports free market economics and limited government intervention in domestic affairs
Paleoconservatism
- Emphasizes traditional conservative values, nationalism, and isolationism
- Opposes globalization, multiculturalism, and immigration as threats to
- Supports and economic nationalism to preserve domestic industries
- Advocates for a non-interventionist foreign policy and skepticism of international organizations
- Believes in the importance of preserving Western culture and heritage
National Conservatism
- Combines conservative social and economic policies with a strong emphasis on national sovereignty
- Supports strict and the preservation of national identity and culture
- Advocates for economic policies that prioritize national interests over global free trade
- Believes in the importance of national security and a robust defense capability
- Opposes and agreements that limit national autonomy (European Union, United Nations)
Key Terms to Review (34)
Anti-liberalism: Anti-liberalism is a political ideology that opposes the principles and values associated with liberalism, such as individual rights, free markets, and democracy. This perspective often critiques liberalism for promoting materialism, undermining traditional values, and failing to address social inequalities. The roots of anti-liberalism can be traced back to conservative thought, where advocates believe in preserving established social orders and hierarchies.
Authority: Authority is the legitimate power or right to make decisions, enforce laws, and command influence within a given context. It plays a crucial role in establishing governance structures, social order, and political legitimacy. Understanding authority involves analyzing its origins, significance, and evolution within various political ideologies, including traditional conservatism and its development over time.
Civil Society: Civil society refers to the space between the individual and the state where people come together to pursue common interests, form associations, and engage in public discourse. It encompasses a variety of organizations, such as non-profits, community groups, and social movements that foster participation and promote democratic values. Civil society plays a crucial role in shaping political life and holds the state accountable while providing a means for individuals to express their rights and aspirations.
Classical conservatism: Classical conservatism is a political philosophy that emphasizes the importance of tradition, social stability, and established institutions. It advocates for gradual change rather than radical reform and seeks to preserve the cultural heritage and moral values of society. This philosophy is rooted in the belief that human nature is flawed, thus requiring a strong framework of governance to maintain order and promote the common good.
Communitarianism vs. Individualism: Communitarianism emphasizes the importance of community and social cohesion, prioritizing the common good over individual rights. In contrast, individualism focuses on personal autonomy, advocating for individual rights and freedoms as paramount. This dichotomy plays a crucial role in shaping political ideologies, particularly within conservative political thought, as it influences how societies balance the needs of the community against the rights of individuals.
Community organizations: Community organizations are groups formed by individuals in a specific locality to address shared concerns and enhance the quality of life within their community. These organizations serve as platforms for collective action, fostering social cohesion, promoting civic engagement, and often advocating for policy changes that reflect the interests of the community members.
Compassionate conservatism: Compassionate conservatism is a political philosophy that combines traditional conservative values with a strong emphasis on social welfare and compassion for the underprivileged. It seeks to address social issues through community-based solutions rather than through expansive government programs, promoting the idea that conservative principles can be applied to enhance social justice and help those in need.
Edmund Burke: Edmund Burke was an Irish statesman and political philosopher, often regarded as the father of modern conservatism. His ideas emphasized the importance of tradition, social stability, and gradual change, serving as a counterpoint to radical political movements like the French Revolution. Burke believed in the value of established institutions and customs as essential for maintaining societal order and coherence.
Fiscal Conservatism: Fiscal conservatism is an economic philosophy that emphasizes reducing government spending, lowering taxes, and balancing budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility. This approach advocates for limited government intervention in the economy, prioritizing private enterprise and individual initiative while maintaining a stable financial environment.
French Revolution: The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799 that led to the overthrow of the monarchy, the establishment of a republic, and significant changes in the structure of French society. It marked a turning point in history, influencing political thought and action across Europe and beyond.
Global leadership: Global leadership refers to the ability to influence and guide individuals, groups, or organizations across national boundaries in a way that addresses global challenges and promotes collaboration. It encompasses skills like diplomacy, cultural awareness, and the ability to navigate complex international issues, linking various perspectives and interests to achieve common goals.
Immigration controls: Immigration controls are policies and regulations established by a government to manage the flow of people entering or exiting a country. These controls are often justified by national security, economic stability, and social cohesion, reflecting broader ideological beliefs about citizenship and belonging within the framework of conservative political thought.
Individual responsibility: Individual responsibility refers to the idea that each person is accountable for their own actions and decisions, emphasizing personal agency and moral obligation. This concept is crucial in political philosophy as it relates to the expectations placed on citizens to contribute positively to society while also facing the consequences of their choices. It often contrasts with views that prioritize collective or governmental responsibility, highlighting the importance of self-determination and ethical behavior in shaping a functional society.
Interventionist foreign policy: Interventionist foreign policy refers to a diplomatic approach where a nation actively engages in the affairs of other countries, often through military action, economic assistance, or political influence to promote its own interests or values. This approach contrasts with isolationism, emphasizing proactive involvement rather than a hands-off strategy, which can significantly shape international relations and domestic political landscapes.
Isolationism: Isolationism is a foreign policy approach where a country seeks to minimize its involvement in international affairs, especially military alliances and conflicts. This strategy emphasizes self-reliance and prioritizes domestic issues over global engagement, reflecting a cautious or skeptical stance toward foreign intervention. In the context of conservative political thought, isolationism often aligns with a preference for limited government involvement in international matters, valuing national sovereignty and security.
Libertarianism vs. Traditional Conservatism: Libertarianism is a political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, minimal government intervention, and free markets, while traditional conservatism focuses on preserving social order, tradition, and the authority of established institutions. The contrast between these two ideologies highlights different approaches to governance, the role of the state, and views on personal freedom.
Limited Government: Limited government is a political principle that restricts the powers of government to protect individual liberties and natural rights. This concept is rooted in the belief that government should be confined to specific functions, such as maintaining order and protecting property, while leaving personal freedoms largely untouched. It is foundational to various political philosophies, especially in the context of natural rights, classical liberalism, and conservatism, emphasizing the importance of a government's accountability to its citizens.
Military force: Military force refers to the organized use of armed personnel and equipment by a state or political entity to achieve specific objectives, including defense, deterrence, or the enforcement of policy. It plays a crucial role in conservative political thought, often viewed as essential for maintaining order and stability within a society, as well as projecting power beyond national borders.
Moral authority: Moral authority refers to the perceived right or power of an individual or institution to lead and influence others based on their ethical beliefs and values. This concept often intersects with political philosophy, as it shapes the legitimacy of leaders and institutions in the eyes of the public. In conservative political thought, moral authority plays a crucial role in justifying policies and governance, appealing to tradition, morality, and societal norms as sources of legitimacy.
National conservatism: National conservatism is a political ideology that combines traditional conservative values with a strong emphasis on nationalism and national sovereignty. It advocates for the protection of national identity, cultural heritage, and borders while promoting conservative social policies, often in opposition to globalism and multiculturalism.
National defense: National defense refers to the measures taken by a state to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens from external threats, including military aggression. This concept encompasses various aspects such as military readiness, intelligence operations, and diplomatic strategies to ensure a nation's security and stability.
National identity: National identity refers to a person's sense of belonging to a particular nation, shaped by shared characteristics such as culture, language, history, and values. It plays a crucial role in how individuals perceive themselves and their place within the political landscape, influencing their attitudes towards governance and civic responsibility.
Nationalism: Nationalism is a political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, often placing it above those of other nations. It fosters a sense of shared identity and belonging among people who perceive themselves as part of the same group, usually based on common language, culture, history, or ethnicity. Nationalism has played a crucial role in shaping modern political landscapes and is often associated with movements for self-determination and independence.
Neoconservatism: Neoconservatism is a political ideology that emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, characterized by a strong belief in the promotion of democracy and American national interest abroad, often through military intervention. This ideology evolved as a response to perceived failures of liberal policies and emphasizes the importance of a robust foreign policy to advance democratic values globally.
Order: Order refers to a structured and organized state of society where rules, laws, and institutions create stability and predictability. This concept is crucial for traditional conservatism, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining societal structures to prevent chaos and disorder. Additionally, the evolution of conservative thought highlights how the understanding of order has adapted over time in response to changing political, social, and economic landscapes.
Paleoconservatism: Paleoconservatism is a political ideology that emphasizes a return to traditional values, strict constitutionalism, and a non-interventionist foreign policy. It advocates for limited government, skepticism of immigration, and preservation of cultural heritage, often in contrast to neoconservatism, which tends to support more interventionist policies and modern globalism.
Reactionary: A reactionary is an individual or group that seeks to restore a previous political or social order, often in response to perceived threats from progressive changes. This term is associated with an inclination to resist change and advocate for the reinstatement of traditional values, systems, or institutions that have been altered or abolished, typically viewing contemporary developments as detrimental to societal stability.
Religious conservatism: Religious conservatism is a political and social philosophy that emphasizes the importance of traditional religious values in governance and public life. It often advocates for policies that align with conservative interpretations of religious teachings, aiming to preserve moral values, family structures, and community standards as dictated by faith. This ideology has shaped political movements and parties, influencing debates on social issues such as marriage, education, and personal conduct.
Social Conservatism: Social conservatism is a political ideology that emphasizes the importance of traditional values and institutions, often advocating for the preservation of cultural norms and moral codes. This perspective is deeply rooted in the belief that societal stability relies on these established values, which are typically influenced by religious teachings and historical practices. Social conservatism often manifests in opposition to progressive social policies, emphasizing issues like family structure, education, and moral behavior.
Social stability: Social stability refers to a state of equilibrium in a society where there is a lack of significant conflict, upheaval, or disruption, allowing individuals and communities to coexist harmoniously. This concept is central to political philosophy, as it underlines the importance of maintaining order and continuity within a society, which is a fundamental goal of conservative thought. The preservation of social stability is often seen as essential for protecting established institutions and traditions.
Supranational organizations: Supranational organizations are entities formed by multiple nations that operate above the national level, where member states cede some degree of sovereignty in order to achieve common goals and foster cooperation. These organizations often address issues that transcend national borders, such as economic integration, security, and environmental concerns, creating a framework for collaboration among diverse nations.
Trade protectionism: Trade protectionism refers to economic policies that governments implement to restrict imports from other countries, aiming to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. These policies can take various forms, including tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, and they are often justified by the desire to preserve jobs and promote national economic interests.
Tradition: Tradition refers to the transmission of customs, beliefs, and practices from one generation to another. It embodies the collective wisdom and experiences of a society, influencing its identity and values over time. In the context of political thought, tradition serves as a foundation for stability and continuity, often seen as essential to preserving cultural heritage and societal cohesion.
Traditional values: Traditional values refer to the beliefs, principles, and moral standards that are generally passed down through generations, often associated with cultural, religious, or family norms. These values emphasize stability, continuity, and a respect for established practices, playing a crucial role in shaping conservative political thought, where they are seen as essential to maintaining social order and cultural identity.