Conservative politics promote traditional values and institutions, and reject progressive ideals. Edmund Burke is considered the father of modern conservatism. Conservatives vary internationally and may disagree with each other within their own country.
Conservative politics are the views and practices of political conservatives. While Conservative politics can differ in countries around the world, there are some characteristics that apply to all Conservatives. Conservatives traditionally recognize the ideals of right-wing politics, determined by their position on the political spectrum. In general, conservatives promote the continuation of “traditional” values and institutions. Conservative politics can often be broken down into more specific categories, including social, fiscal, and religious conservatism.
Conservatives belong to the right side of the political posturing spectrum, to the left of the reactionaries. They are generally content with the status quo in governance or some may support regressive policies. Conservatism rejects the tenets of liberalism, eschewing more progressive ideals about changing society. Even if some conservatives embrace viewpoints that were revolutionary for the time, such as gender equality, they most likely won’t advocate taking radical steps to bring about equality.
Edmund Burke (1729-1797) is often referred to as the father of modern conservative politics. Burke was a member of the Whig Party in the House of Commons of Great Britain. He spoke extensively about the revolutions in the United States and France, supporting the American Revolution because he emphasized that the colonists rebelled because the British did not recognize the rights already established by law. The revolution in France, he believed, was trying to fight for rights that never existed for French citizens. Burke primarily advocated governmental authority and accepted the division between the elite ruling class and the lower class.
Conservative politics more closely represents a maintenance of the status quo than leftist political ideologies. For example, in the United States, conservatives advocate a capitalist society and the rights outlined in the Constitution. In Britain, the Conservatives approve of the current parliamentary system of government. Israeli conservatives most likely support the current borders and policy towards the Palestinian territories. Some conservatives may even take retrogressive views, suggesting that society and government adopt the common viewpoints and practices of earlier historical times.
Right-wing conservatives tend to distrust left-wing political ideologies. While both groups may advocate freedom, they have different approaches to analyzing and formulating policies to achieve it. Progressives may view government and the human condition from a rationalistic point of view, while conservatives usually draw on time-tested tactics from history to back up their claims.
Internationally, Conservative politics is not monolithic. Some political scholars argue that conservatives in Europe are more progressive than those in the United States. Conservatives may also disagree with their counterparts in other countries. For example, conservatives in France may disagree with pro-establishment political parties in Iran. Conservatives can also disagree within the borders of nation states. Although conservatives generally support the Republican Party in the United States, traditional conservatives do battle with modern neoconservatives on certain issues.
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