Conservatism (also called conservatism) is a political and social stance that seeks to promote the maintenance of traditional values, practices and institutions.
In general terms, conservatism values tradition, hierarchy, authority and property rights. However, since what is considered traditional varies according to place and time, conservatism does not have fixed universal characteristics.
Conservatism focuses on stability and continuity, opposing progressive or revolutionary policies. Thus, a conservative individual is someone who defends the permanence of the status quo or the return of values from a bygone age.
A conservative posture can present itself in different branches of society, such as politics, religion, economics, etc.
political conservatism
Conservatism is usually related to right-wing politics and advocates the preservation of private property, personal wealth and individualism.
In politics, conservatism does not seek to prevent any social change from taking place, but only those of a revolutionary character, which have profound and immediate institutional repercussions. In this sense, political conservatism understands that changes must come from institutions and never against them.
Political conservatism adopts that tradition, family, school and religion must be the foundations through which social changes must occur naturally and gradually.
Conservatism and liberalism
Conservatism and liberalism are variant concepts that present themselves in three aspects: classical, social and economic.
In classical terms, conservatism is the right-wing ideology marked by authority, order and tradition, as in classical aristocracy. In the social aspect, conservatism is the posture that exalts the hierarchy. In the economic field, conservatism is divided into three strands:
- classic economic conservatism: favoring elite interests in a state
- fiscal economic conservatism: aimed at economic austerity policies (expenses control in order to achieve fiscal balance)
- social economic conservatism: focusing on protectionist economic policies
Liberalism, in the classical context, is the left ideology that favors freedom, as in classical democracy. Socially, liberalism favors equality. In economics, liberalism has two forms:
- classic economic liberalism: based on total economic freedom
- social economic liberalism: based on economic equality
Examples of conservative values
Below are some examples of classically and socially conservative values:
| Classic Conservative Values | socially conservative values |
|---|---|
economic planning |
immigration restrictions |
Class-Based Social Hierarchy |
Resistance to social programs |
No separation between religion and state |
Social hierarchy in terms of gender, race and ethnicity |
Protectionism |
Emphasis on nationalism |
No right to a fair trial |
Control over the market |
limited freedom of expression |
Isolationism |
Non-prioritization of human rights |
Resistance to progressive policies |
liberal conservatism
Liberal conservatism is an economic and social ideology that combines conservative political elements and liberal postures.
Liberal conservatism embodies the classic vision of minimal state intervention in the economy, guaranteeing all individuals the freedom to participate in the market and generate wealth. However, according to liberal conservatism, individuals cannot be totally free in other spheres of life, being What is needed is a strong State that ensures order and, through social institutions, develops a sense of duty and responsibility of the nation.
In political terms, liberal conservatism is seen as a center-right (or right-wing) ideology. moderate) that supports civil liberties and conservative social postures, always favoring economy.
Origin of conservatism
Conservatism, as a stance of resistance to change, originated during the social, political and economic revolutions that took place in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The English Revolution of 1640 and the French Revolution of 1789 were largely responsible for the changes in the world economic paradigm and the consequent transition to the modern world. It was these progressive movements that gave rise to capitalism, which drastically transformed the thinking and values of the time, first in Europe and then in the rest of the world.
As a natural consequence of these revolutions, the divide between conservatism and progressivism, that is, those who defended the maintenance of order and the current policy and those who supported the changes through revolutionary movements.
As a political ideology, the origin of conservatism is often attributed to political philosophers Richard Hooker, David Hume and, above all, the Edmund Burke. Burke was one of the leading critics of the French Revolution arguing that the changes of the time would destroy traditional society and institutions. He later became known as the “father of liberal conservatism”, as he held ideas contrary to those of the British Conservative party.
Conservatism in Brazil
In Brazil, conservatism is closely related to right-wing political parties, although very few parties officially call themselves conservatives.
The first form of conservatism in Brazil occurred through the Conservative Party, founded around 1836 with the proposal to protect the integrity of the country, and extinguished with the establishment of the republic of 1889.
Currently, Brazilian conservatism defends the strengthening of traditional institutions such as the family, religion and school, as well as the valorization of the ideals of hierarchy and authority. Considering that there are no particularly conservative parties, conservatism in Brazil is observable through politicians like Jair Bolsonaro, Silas Malafia or other members of the caucus evangelical.
See too:
- Liberalism
- left and right in politics