Conservatism in the United States
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Conservatism in the United States is one of two major political ideologies in the United States, with the other being modern liberalism. Traditional American conservatism is characterized by a belief in individualism, traditionalism, capitalism, republicanism, and limited federal governmental power in relation to U.S. states,[1] although 21st century developments have shifted it towards right-wing populist themes.[2]
American conservatives maintain support from the Christian right and its interpretation of Christian values and moral absolutism,[3][4] while generally opposing abortion, euthanasia, and some LGBT rights.[5] They tend to favor economic liberalism,[6][7] and are generally pro-business and pro-capitalism,[8][9] while more strongly opposing communism and labor unions than liberals and social democrats.[10][11][12] Recent shifts have moved it towards national conservatism,[13] protectionism,[14] cultural conservatism, and a more realist foreign policy.[2]
Conservatives often advocate for strong national defense, gun rights, capital punishment, and a defense of Western culture from perceived threats posed by communism, Islamism, and moral relativism.[15][16] Some American conservatives may question epidemiology, anthropogenic climate change, and evolution more frequently than moderates or liberals.[17][18][19]
- ^ Frohnen, Bruce; Beer, Jeremy; Jeffrey, Nelson (2014). American Conservatism: An Encyclopedia. Intercollegiate Studies Institute. ISBN 9781497651579.
The conservative veneration of individual autonomy...
- ^ a b Ashbee, Edward; Waddan, Alex (December 13, 2023). "US Republicans and the New Fusionism". The Political Quarterly. 95: 148–156. doi:10.1111/1467-923X.13341. ISSN 1467-923X.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Oxford UPwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Farmer, Brian (2005). American Conservatism: History, Theory and Practice. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 52. ISBN 978-1904303541.
To traditional conservatives, there most definitely are moral absolutes and they can most definitely and definitively identify those moral absolutes.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
jillsonwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Davenport, David; Lloyd, Gordon (2013). The New Deal & Modern American Conservatism: A Defining Rivalry (eBook ed.). Hoover Institution Press. ISBN 9780817916862.
- ^ O'Neill, Johnathan; Postell, Joseph W., eds. (2013). Toward an American Conservatism: Constitutional Conservatism During the Progressive Era (eBook ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137300966.
- ^ Hoover, Kenneth R. (April 1987). "The Rise of Conservative Capitalism: Ideological Tensions within the Reagan and Thatcher Governments". Comparative Studies in Society and History. 29 (2): 245–268. doi:10.1017/S0010417500014493. ISSN 1475-2999. S2CID 145076916. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Paul, Murschetz (2013). State Aid for Newspapers: Theories. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 64. ISBN 978-3642356902.
- ^ Howison, Jeffrey D. (February 2018). "The Historical Origins and Contemporary Dynamics of Conservatism in the United States: Anticommunism, the New Class Critique, and the Environment". Political Studies Review. 16 (1): 13–24. doi:10.1177/1478929915611918. ISSN 1478-9299. S2CID 148367886.
- ^ Heineman, Kenneth J. (2018). The Rise of Contemporary Conservatism in the United States (eBook ed.). New York: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9780429456442. ISBN 9780429456442. S2CID 159281982.
- ^ Sexton, Patricia Cayo (2019) [1991]. The War on Labor and the Left: Understanding America's Unique Conservatism (eBook ed.). New York: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9780429492716. ISBN 9780429492716.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Economist 02152024was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Economist 10262023was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Pilbeam, Bruce (2003). Anglo-American Conservative Ideology After the Cold War. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 100. ISBN 978-0333997659.
For most conservatives, if there is a common culprit in explaining society's descent into moral chaos, then it is relativism—the notion that there are no absolute values or standards, merely different interpretations, and perspectives.
- ^ Critchlow, Donald (2009). Debating the American Conservative Movement: 1945 to the Present. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 15. ISBN 978-0742548244.
Conservatives had a fear of Communism shared by most Americans. During this time a popular anti-Communist culture emerged in America, evident in movies, television programs, community activities, and grassroots organizations. This popular anti-Communist culture generated patriotic rallies, parades, city resolutions, and an array of anti—Communist groups concerned about Communist influence in the schools, textbooks, churches, labor unions, industry, and universities.
- ^ Oreskes, Naomi (June 1, 2021). "The Reason Some Republicans Mistrust Science: Their Leaders Tell Them To". Scientific American. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Hofer, Barbara; Sinatra, Gale (August 19, 2021). Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oso/9780190944681.001.0001. ISBN 9780190944711. Archived from the original on October 16, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Jones, Jeffrey (August 20, 2021). "Study: Evolution now accepted by majority of Americans". University of Michigan News. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.