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    This page covers the political concept of conservatism. For a page on conservatism from a philosophical perspective, see the Philosophyball Page

    "People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors."

    "In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, 'I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away.' To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: 'If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.'"

    Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in which it appears. In Western culture, depending on the particular nation, conservatives seek to promote and preserve a range of institutions, such as the nuclear family, organized religion, the military, the nation-state, property rights, rule of law, aristocracy, and monarchy. Conservatives favor institutions and practices that enhance social order and historical continuity. Overall, conservatism is an economically and civically variable, culturally right ideology, although a few conservative ideologies are culturally center.

    History

    The first established use of the term "conservatism" in a political context originated in 1818 with François-René de Chateaubriand. Conservatism has since been used to describe a wide range of views that aim to maintain certain traditional views, but no single set of policies is associated with the term.

    United States

    The meaning of "conservatism" in the United States is quite different in comparison with what people from other parts of the world consider conservatism; when they talk about conservatism they usually refer to Liberalism or Neoliberalism. Since the 1950s, conservatism in the United States has been chiefly associated with the Republican Party. However, during the era of segregation, many Southern Democrats were the ones considered conservatives.

    American conservatism is best defined as a synthesis of conservative philosophy with classical liberal values.

    As such, characteristics defining most conservatives in the United States include support for the traditional family, law and order, the right to bear arms, Christian values, anti-socialism, and defense of "Western civilization, its traditions, and way of life". About major economic policies in general that they defend are, along with Libertarians, favor, low taxes, limited regulation, and free enterprise, although most conservatives in the US are also Keynesian, which are the economic policies that mostly differentiate them from most Libertarians. Some of them also see religion as an important part of Western Civilization and are opposed to secularism, and separation of the church and the state.

    They are also considered Neoconservatives and foreign interventionists, assimilationists, and at some points also imperialists, they believe in strong morals and are in favor of intervening in other places that do not align with these values. Another part of American conservatism is trying to stop the spread of Socialism.

    Other modern GOP positions include deregulation and (sometimes, but not always) opposition to environmentalism. Some conservatives, such as paleoconservatives, libertarian conservatives, and paleolibertarians advocate for a non-interventionist foreign policy. Economic Liberalism and social conservatism are major principles of the Republican Party, but they are not in opposition to bail-outs and, in general, certain interventionism.

    Germany

    In Germany, Conservatism grew alongside Nationalism, resulting in Germany's victory over France in the Franco-Prussian War, the formation of the United German Empire in 1871, and Otto von Bismarck's simultaneous rise in the European political stage.

    With the rise of Nazism in 1933, agrarian movements faded away, replaced by a more command-based economy and forced social integration. Although Adolf Hitler was able to win the support of many German industrialists, prominent traditionalists opposed his policies of euthanasia, genocide, and attacks on organized religion.

    More recently, the work of the conservative Christian Democratic Union leader and Chancellor Helmut Kohl has helped bring about German reunification and closer European integration in the form of the Maastricht Treaty.

    Today, German conservatism is often linked to politicians such as Angela Merkel. Who can be defined by her marked attempts to save the common European currency (Euro) from devaluation and other certainly important financial issues.

    France

    Another form of conservatism developed in France in parallel to conservatism in Britain. It was influenced by Counter-Enlightenment works by men such as Joseph de Maistre and Louis de Bonald. Many continentals or traditionalist conservatives do not support the separation of church and state, with most supporting state recognition of and cooperation with the Catholic Church, such as had existed in France before the Revolution.

    They also added patriotism, and Nationalism to the list of traditional values they support. Conservatives were the first to embrace Nationalism and the Revolution in France, contemporary conservatism in France is deeply influenced by Gaullism and one of his main representatives is the ex-president Nikolas Sarkozy and his party.

    Spain

    The People's Party was created in January 1989 by a "refoundation" of the People's Alliance (AP).

    This federation of conservative parties was founded in 1976 by former personalities of the Franco regime who had decided not to join the Union of the Democratic Center (UCD). Its main leader is the former Francoist minister Manuel Fraga.

    The AP entered into a deep crisis after its 1987 congress, which followed the failure of the Popular Coalition in the June 1986 elections and the distribution of Fraga. The latter finally decides to take over the leadership of the party and to ensure a profound renovation. The January 1989 congress, therefore, marked the birth of the People's Party, which broadened its ideological base to the ideals of Economic liberalism and Christian democracy. It then absorbed the Liberal Party (PL) and the Christian Democracy (DC), becoming the hegemonic party of the center-right and the right in Spain.

    On September 4, the PP invests by the decision of Fraga the president of the Junta of Castile, and León José María Aznar leader for the anticipated general elections of the following month, after having dismissed Isabel Tocino and Marcelino Oreja. During the ballot, Aznar failed to break the glass ceiling which had blocked the Spanish right since 1982 with 25.8% of the vote and 107 deputies out of 350. A new congress, convened in April 1990, carried Aznar to the presidency of the Party popular, while Manuel Fraga received the title of founding president.

    Russia

    Under Vladimir Putin, the dominant leader since 1999, Russia has promoted explicitly conservative policies in social, cultural, and political matters, both at home and abroad but has attacked multiple times economic Liberalism, which differentiates them from other conservatives. Putinist conservatism is unique in some respects as it supports economic intervention with a mixed economy, with strong nationalist sentiment and social conservatism, opposing largely most of the Libertarians' ideals. Unlike most Western conservatives, Putin's version promotes a Kleptocratic form of government over a democratic one, is Elitist and mostly opposed to populism.

    United Kingdom

    Conservatism in the United Kingdom is similar to its counterparts in other Western nations, but has a distinct tradition and has varied over time.

    During and after World War II, the Conservative Party made concessions to Democratic Socialist's policies of the left. The basis of the post-war consensus was the Beveridge Report. Between 1945 and 1970 (consensus years) unemployment averaged less than 3% as "full employment" was the policy of both Conservative and Labour governments. The post-war consensus included a belief in Keynesian economics, a mixed economy with the nationalization of major industries, the establishment of the National Health Service, and the establishment of a modern welfare state in Britain.

    However, in the 1980s, under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher, and the influence of Keith Joseph, there was a dramatic shift in the ideological direction of British conservatism, with a movement towards, what are considered free-market economic policies and reforms.

    In efforts to rebrand and increase the party's appeal, following three consecutive defeats in the general elections, both leaders have adopted policies that align with more moderate views. This has included a "greener" environmental and energy stance, and the adoption of some socially modernist views, such as acceptance of same-sex marriage. However, these policies have been accompanied by fiscal conservatism, in which they have maintained a hard stance on bringing down the deficit, and embarked upon a program of economic austerity.

    Beliefs

    Traditions

    Despite variations in definition, conservatism generally values certain common themes. Michael Oakeshott describes conservatism as preferring the familiar over the unknown, the tried over the untried, and facts over mysteries. It favors the actual over the possible, limits over boundlessness, and the present over the distant future. This traditionalism reflects trust in proven methods of social organization, often giving weight to past generations' experiences. Traditions also contribute to a sense of identity.

    Hierarchy

    Some left-wing thinkers, like Corey Robin, define conservatism differently, seeing it as defending social and economic inequality rather than upholding traditional institutions. They view conservatism as a response to feeling threatened and trying to regain power. However, conservatism also fears the corruption that can come from established hierarchies. Some conservative communities value social hierarchies, giving importance to factors like age and wisdom. Conservatives may admire hierarchies, believing they're essential for order, as expressed by philosopher Nicolás Gómez Dávila's saying: "Hierarchies are celestial. In hell all are equal." The term "hierarchy" has religious origins, meaning "rule of a high priest."

    Realism

    Conservatism sees human imperfection as a fundamental belief. It's skeptical about improving human nature through idealistic plans. Thomas Hobbes, considered a key figure for conservative thought, described human nature as harsh and short-lived, suggesting a need for strong central authority.

    Authority

    Conservatism values authority, particularly traditional authority. This kind of authority is based on longstanding traditions and the legitimacy of those in power. There are two types: the authority of fathers and the authority of masters, like priests, monarchs, aristocrats, and military leaders. The decline of traditional authority is linked to the disappearance of old institutions like guilds and families, which used to connect individuals and the state. This decline is seen as a crisis for modern society, as traditional authorities are essential for maintaining a stable civilization.

    Reactionism

    Reactionism in right-wing politics opposes social changes and favors maintaining the status quo. It's often associated with conservative views that resist social, political, and economic transformations. Some conservatives seek to return to past traditions rather than embracing change. While some see "reactionary" and "conservative" as similar, others argue they're different. Reactionaries may idealize past societies and values, like German Romanticism did with medievalism. Being labeled a reactionary is typically seen negatively. However, some writers, like Julius Evola and John Lukacs, have embraced the term.

    Personality

    Conservatism loves tradition and old values. He usually does not like LGBTQ+ advocates , but sometimes accepts Homoconservatism. He thinks that women and men are fundamentally different.

    Stylistic Notes

    • He votes for various center-right political parties (Republican Party of America, Conservative Party of England, Conservative Party of Canada, Republican Party of France, etc).
    • He does not like left wing ideologies like socialism, communism, anarcho-communism, etc.
    • He loves his country, almost as much as National Conservatism.

    How to Draw

    Plain Style

    Flag of Conservatism
    1. Draw a ball
    2. Fill in the ball with light blue
    3. Draw a white feather
    4. Add eyes to the ball

    You are done!

    Color NameHEXRGB
     Light Blue#0183BErgb(1, 131, 190)
     White#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)


    US Style

    Flag of Conservatism (US design)
    1. Draw a ball
    2. Fill the top half of the ball with blue and the bottom half red, making the ball a bicolor
    3. Draw three white stars in the top bar (In reference to the symbols of the Democratic and the Republican Party respectively)
    4. Add the eyes
    5. Optional props:
      1. A MAGA cap
      2. Sunglasses (used for US-centric balls like the USA in Polandball)

    You're done!

    Color NameHEXRGB
     Blue#3F48CCrgb(63, 72, 204)
     Red#ED1C24rgb(237, 28, 36)
     White#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)


    UK Style

    Flag of Conservatism (UK design)
    1. Draw a ball
    2. Fill the ball with light blue
    3. Draw a white squiggly tree in the middle
    4. Add the eyes
    5. Optional props:
      1. Top hat and a monocle (used in UK-centered balls like United Kingdom in Polandball)
      2. A cup of tea (commonly consumed beverage in the UK)
      3. Brexit hat or cap
      4. A burning flag of the EU

    You are finished!

    Color NameHEXRGB
     Light Cyan#00B0EFrgb(0, 176, 239)
     White#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)


    French Style

    Flag of Conservatism (French design)
    1. Draw a ball
    2. Fill in the ball with White
    3. Color the left half of the ball Radio Blue
    4. Color in the right bar with Pinkish Red
    5. Draw the logo of the French Republican Party in the middle
    6. Add two eyes
    7. (Optional) Give the ball a beret

    You're done!

    Color NameHEXRGB
     Radio Blue#002394rgb(0, 35, 148)
     White#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)
     Pinkish Red#ED2B3Argb(237, 43, 58)
     Navy Blue#143C77rgb(20, 60, 119)
     Scarlet#EE2722rgb(238, 39, 34)


    Relationships

    Family

    Confusing

    • Capitalism - We've worked together for so long... but now you cancel my stuff to protect your profits! At least you'll give me a discount.
    • Corporatocracy - Please stop pandering to the woke agenda and think of the children!
    • Social Democracy - A Quasi-Marxist and a rival in many countries! However most of your Eastern European variants are at least okay though.
    • Liberalism - In the west, I have adopted liberal views of freedom of speech and laissez-faire capitalism, but I still stand in opposition to your views to varying degrees and we're at odds in many countries..
    • National Liberalism - Usually you're similar to natcon but sometimes you can be degenerate .
    • Jacksonian Democracy - Better than the rest of the Democrats and my son likes you for some reason but don't piss off my family. And your racism is bad for PR.
    • Alt-Lite - Good to see that some kids these days see the value of tradition, but you really need to take some time off the internet. You mostly concentrate on political incorrectness rather than tradition. And you REALLY need to stop hanging out with him. We don't want everyone think we're literal Nazis, do we?
    • Police Statism - BLUE LIVES MATTER! I won't follow mask mandates though.
    • Neoconservatism - My son shares some of my values but always drags me into long wars, sometimes even against fellow tradition fans. However Reagan was the best American president ever!
    • Neoliberalism - We both love Reagan and Thatcher, but for very different reasons, but you have gone woke!
    • Multiculturalism - I'm glad that you respect cultures, but you provoke identity politics and only take up our jobs and free service, and we can't have that.
    • Conservative Feminism - Always complains about me forgetting her birthday!
    • Manosphere - Based tradition defender and feminist's worst nightmare but there's no redpill I need to swallow. Plus, stop complaining about women, not all of them are like that. Also, what do you think of Thatcher? And Tate is an immoral boy.
    • Crusadism & Jihadism - You defend religious values, but you should fight more against our common enemy - atheists - than with each other.
    • Reactionaryism - I just want to conserve culture, not hop into a time machine and go 600 years back. But Falun Gong is still better than CCP.
    • Neoreactionaryism - A weird technophile geek misinformed leftists like to believe is hijacking the MAGA movement.
    • Korwinism - I don't know if you're a genius or just crazy.
    • Rockefeller Republicanism - Ike did an nice job just stop being such as wiener...
    • Hayekism - Why are you "not a conservative"?
    • Gandhian Socialism - Your pro-life stance, defense of culture, and sympathy for Christianity are all wise points just you're a bit progressive in a sense and polygamy is disgusting.
    • Dengism - I don't like your domestic policies but you call many Western conservatives such as Kissinger, Bush I, PIS and Pinera among others "friends of the Chinese people" and you're a good improvement over Maoism. But some of my followers, such as Trump or the Australian Liberals, don't have the best relationships with you.
    • Conservative Socialism - Excuse me, Socialism? Are you aware every attempt at it has failed? However, we do agree on the consequences of the New Left.
    • Progressive Conservatism - Pick a side already, damn it!
    • Pinochetism - Some of my base love you for obvious reasons, but still you have legalized gender change and oppressed conservative democratic opposition too. Surely, that Soviet-puppet Allende still had to be taken off power, but I'd prefer more peaceful methods for it.

    Degenerates

    • LGBTQ+ - Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice.
    • Wokeism - Violent, degenerate, psychotic, destructive, SJW!
    • Progressivism - Degenerate hippie and my eternal enemy. Trying to destroy both me and tradition - what's next, pedo rights? Quit calling me a rightoid when you keep up the orgies where I had it... like a degenerate.
    • Socialism - Popular with college students, despite killing millions of people. Although some of you rather have socially-conservative views...
    • Marxism–Leninism - Anti-traditional communist scum and my archenemy from 1917-1991.
    • Leninism - Aren't you the same as the previous guy?
    • Maoism - Damn you and your destruction of culture! But at least you like Nixon.
    • Jacobinism - Deranged psychos that signed the execution of thousands of random innocent people.
    • Left Wing Populism and Democratic Socialism - Bernie and Corbyn must be stopped! Never will you achieve your radical leftist goal!!
    • Democratism - You used to be okay, at least in social aspects, but you have now moved to the woke radical left. The “Squad” is just a bunch of neo-Marxist scums who want to destroy the United States. But at least you still have people like Manchin, who is okayish. I wonder how long it would take for you to become a full socialist party.
    • Social Liberalism - Thanks to you Liberalism has lost redeeming qualities and has been reduced to woke nonsense.
    • Liberal Socialism - Ah yes, the RADICAL LEFT!
    • Liberal Feminism - Don't kick the Goddamn baby! Haha, Roe v. Wade go bye-bye!
    • Third Way - Literally OBAMA! But Clinton tenure was decent because of fiscal responsibility, bipartisanship and democrats not being woke psychos
    • Anarcho-Communism - Insane Communist Terrorist Antifa Pinko who calls me a fascist!
    • ANTIFA - The real fascists! If you actually hated fascism and not just the people who disagree with you, you would idolize people like Pilecki, Urbanowicz, Churchill, Eisenhower and De Gaulle, not some Far-Left 16-year old's living in their basement, living on energy drinks, doping and panicking after reading comments.
    • Civil Libertarianism - Complains that I am literally him because I force porn sites to put restrictions for underage to their content.
    • Fascism - Leftist piece of shit.
    • Nazism - You’ve brought shame to my German friends! Screw you and go back home! YOU ARE A LEFTIST, NO DIFFERENT THAN ANTIFA!!!!
    • Homofascism - Even more degenerate than Nazi.
    • Esoteric Fascism - Schizos like you belong at the hospital.
    • Stransserism - Trans commie Nazis are oppressing the REAL men/women!
    • White Nationalism - Aren't you just one of the Democrats? And I won't forgive David Duke for trying to infiltrate the GOP. You make us all look bad!
    • Alt-Right - Stop infiltrating the GOP, fascist scum and go and support Biden as your leader did. At least some of you support Trump.
    • Pink Capitalism - The companies have betrayed us and promote degeneracy to enrich themselves.
    • State Liberalism - What the hell is this abomination?
    • Futurism - Boy what the fuck is wrong with you?
    • Neo-Marxism - The post-modern Neo-Marxists post leftist trying to destroy all our Judeo-Christian values with their post-Marxist neo-modern hardcore crab sex! Lasch is based though
    • Satanic Theocracy - SATAN! THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU! This is the "great" future that wokes want for the world.
    • Secular Satanism - Quit larping as a Satanist and clean your damn room.
    • State Atheism - Go get fresh air and clean up!
    • Anarcho-Egoism - Do you have any sense of morality, for God's sake?!
    • Illegalism - You advocate for immoral acts like drugs, murder, abortion, rape, theft, and other grave actions! You deserve the death penalty!
    • Avaritionism - Aren't you that thing above again?! Well, the death penalty for you too, psycho!
    • Soulism - Quit your disgusting drug addiction, go outside and socialize, get a wife, start a family, get a job and finally be a FUNCTIONAL MEMBER of society, you lazy junkyard!!!

    Bibliography

    Literature

    Primary Literature

    Insert intellectual of movement

    (here goes a list of literature from the main intellectual of the movement)

    Insert intellectual 1

    (here goes a list of literature from a more minor intellectual of the movement)

    Insert intellectual 2

    (here goes a list of literature from a more minor intellectual of the movement)

    Collection of Literature

    Secondary Literature

    (here goes a list of literature by people outside of the movement about the movement)

    Periodicals

    (here goes a list of publications and journals the ideology had)

    News

    Mainstream News

    (here goes a list of news from the mainstream about the ideology)

    Interviews

    (here goes a list of interviews of people in the movement)

    Quotes

    "Conservatism, we are told, is out-of-date. This charge is preposterous and we ought to boldly say so. The laws of God, and of nature, have no dateline. These principles are derived from the nature of man, and from the truths that God has revealed about His creation. To suggest that the Conservative philosophy is out-of-date is akin to saying that the Golden Rule, or the Ten Commandments or Aristotle’s Politics are out-of-date."

    "I am a Conservative to preserve all that is good in our constitution, a Radical to remove all that is bad. I seek to preserve property and to respect order, and I equally decry the appeal to the passions of the many or the prejudices of the few."

    "How is the United States at once the most conservative and commercial and the most revolutionary society on Earth?"

    "Conservatism proper is a legitimate, probably necessary, and certainly widespread attitude of opposition to drastic change. It has, since the French Revolution, for a century and a half played an important role in European politics. Until the rise of socialism, its opposite was liberalism... There is nothing corresponding to this conflict in the history of the United States, because what in Europe was called "liberalism" was here the common tradition on which the American polity had been built: thus the defender of the American tradition was a liberal in the European sense."

    "All conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave them as they are. But you do not. If you leave a thing alone you leave it to a torrent of change. If you leave a white post alone it will soon be a black post. If you particularly want it to be white you must be always painting it again; that is, you must be always having a revolution."

    "What do you do […] when you are not blinded by ideology, and you see the world and all its dramatic characters clearly? Well, you do not hope for the infinite perfectibility of humanity and aim your system at some unattainable utopia. You try to design a system that sinners such as you cannot damage too badly—too permanently—even when they are half blind and resentful. To the degree that I am conservative in orientation, I believe in the wisdom of that vision."

    "Every Conservative desires peace."

    "I'm a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order."

    "This struggle to preserve the old creeds, cultures, and countries of the West is the new divide between Left and Right; this struggle will define what it means to be a conservative. This is the cause of the twenty-first century and the agenda of conservatism for the remainder of our lives."

    "Donald Trump is a symptom, not a disease. The disease is the death of real political conservatism: a cool, intelligent reluctance to believe that all change is good, a love for the established, the particular and the well-worn. During the 1980s, many people mistook Thatcherism and Reaganism, actually a wild form of liberalism, for conservatism. They lapped up the temporary riches it provided and now find themselves yearning for leaders to take them back to a world of secure jobs and secure borders."

    "Conservatism is itself a modernism, and in this lies the secret of its success."

    "The conservative response to modernity is to embrace it, but to embrace it critically, in full consciousness that human achievements are rare and precarious, that we have no God-given right to destroy our inheritance, but must always patiently submit to the voice of order, and set an example of orderly living."

    "Conservatism starts from a sentiment that all mature people can readily share: the sentiment that good things are easily destroyed, but not easily created."

    "I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism."

    "All great peoples are conservative; slow to believe in novelties; patient of much error in actualities; deeply and forever certain of the greatness that is in law, in custom once solemnly established, and now long recognized as just and final."

    "Generally young men are regarded as radicals. This is a popular misconception. The most conservative persons I ever met are college undergraduates. The radicals are the men past middle life."

    Further Reading

    (here goes a list of further reading by peripheral movements)

    Misc Texts

    (texts that do not fit into any of these catgories)

    Further Information

    (here would be a list of similar movements with pcb articles check out CyberFeminism as a good example

    Websites

    Wikipedia

    By Country

    Online Communities

    (here go online communities of the movement)

    Subreddits

    Brazil

    Canada

    United States

    UK

    Videos

    People

    (here goes a list of people in the movement)

    Organizations

    Political Parties

    Groups

    (here go groups which are a part of the movement)

    Misc

    Blogs

    Medium

    Articles

    Children's Books

    See also

    (a list of links to more information)

    Gallery

    Comics

    Portraits

    Portraits of Variants

    Portraits of Alternate Designs

    (here go portraits of the alternate designs of the ideology)

    Compasses

    (here go compasses including the ideology check out CyberFeminism as a example)

    Citations

    Notes

    1. Depends mainly on the cultural context; importance of free-market economics and capitalism within it.
    2. Context dependent: in countries with long-established constitutions, the rule of law tends to be of greater importance than those with short-lived ones.
    3. Sleaze and cronyism is currently a huge problem within the Conservative party, with the Boris Johnson government suffering significantly from allegations of alleged corruption.
    4. Some Canadian Conservatives tend to be more moderate on certain questions, including social views, while advocating economic liberalism.

    References

    1. Conservatism is more moderate compared to traditionalism
    2. "Centrão", Wikipedia.org.
    3. "United Kingdom", Parties and Elections.eu.
    4. 4.0 4.1 "Policy Declaration: February 2014", Conservative.ca. Archived 27 June 2019.
    5. despite being virulently anti-communist, he became known as a "white Bolshevik" for his agrarian reforms

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