Conservatism
Origins and History
Conservatism as a political and social philosophy promotes retaining traditional social institutions in the context of culture and civilization. The term, historically associated with right-wing politics, has since been used to describe a wide range of views. There is no set of policies that are universally regarded as conservative because the meaning of conservatism depends on what is considered traditional in a given place and time. Thus, conservatives from different parts of the world—each upholding their respective traditions—may disagree on a wide range of issues. Persons who describe themselves as conservative tend to favor economic liberalism and capitalist society, and a hierarchical society, while opposing modern liberalism and socialist economics.
Philosophical Underpinnings
Conservatism is a political philosophy responding to the Cold War, the New Deal/Great Society programs, the civil rights movement, Islamic terrorism, and other 20th-21st century phenomena. In general, conservatism seeks to preserve a range of institutions such as religion, parliamentary government, and property rights. To that end, conservatives often seek to preserve institutions such as religion, parliamentary government, and property rights, with the aim of emphasizing stability and continuity, while the more extreme elements of conservatism seek to return to the values of an earlier time, often referred to as reactionism.
Conservatism in Different Regions
While the conservative political philosophy is generally associated with right-wing politics, it has manifested in a variety of forms throughout world history including: traditionalist conservatism, liberal conservatism, libertarian conservatism, fiscal conservatism, green conservatism, cultural conservatism, social conservatism and religious conservatism.
Conservatism in the United States
In the United States, the conservative movement of the 20th century was characterized by the opposition to the New Deal of the 1930s, the post-war liberalism of the 1940s, and the most recent liberalism of the 1960s. This includes opposition to big government, social liberalism, communism, and labor unions. American conservatives consider individual liberty, within the bounds of American values, as the fundamental trait of democracy, which contrasts with modern American liberals, who generally place a greater value on equality and social justice.
Conservatism in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, conservative ideology has been known to espouse laissez-faire economics, opposing the intervention of the state in the economy, and supporting free market. However, this aspect of conservatism has been challenged by some sections of the party particularly during the 21st century. British conservatism is also characterized by an emphasis on law and order, defence, and strong national identity.
Conservatism in other parts of the world
Conservatism in other parts of the world, such as Latin America, Asia, and Africa, has a wide range of forms and meanings, depending on historical and geographical context. The common thread among all conservatives is the desire to preserve and to conserve, hence the name.
Modern Conservatism
In the latter part of the 20th century, as liberal government and its institutions have become more prevalent, there has been a revival of conservative thought and politics. This modern conservatism has been characterized by a defense of individual liberty and free market principles, and an emphasis on traditional values and institutions.
Criticism and Controversy
Like any political ideology, conservatism has been subject to criticism. Critics argue that the conservative ideology, with its emphasis on tradition and authority, can limit progress and prevent necessary societal change. This criticism is often countered by conservatives who argue that their aim is not to oppose all change, but rather to oppose changes that they see as harmful or unnecessary.