Political conservatism values individual liberty, small government, low taxes, and fiscal responsibility. It opposes government interference in business and economic lives, and favors strong national defense. Social conservatism can be confused with political conservatism, but the two are distinct.
Political conservatism is a philosophy characterized by a belief in individual liberty, small government, low taxes, and fiscal responsibility. Like many political ideologies, it is sometimes misunderstood. For example, many people believe that conservatism is simply a desire to maintain the status quo or even return to previous conditions. Indeed, when political conservatism arose as an identifiable ideology in Europe after the French Revolution, it was exemplified by resistance to change and adherence to the status quo, which was seen as representing continuity and stability. In the ensuing centuries, however, political conservatism has developed a clear set of policy goals that run counter to mere nostalgia and, in many cases, promote a change from the status quo.
small government
Modern political conservatism marries small government. From this point of view, the government deals only with those things which cannot or should not be undertaken by private individuals or private enterprises, such as building roads and providing for common defence. It is the conservative view that most government involvement in business, including regulation, amounts to interference, and that a nation’s economy would be stronger with less interference.
Against economic interference Economic
Political conservatism also opposes government intrusion into people’s economic lives. From a conservative perspective, government-managed welfare programs, whether established for retirement and health care or simply as relief for the poor, supersede government judgment of its own about saving and planning. Many conservatives believe these programs make citizens more dependent on the government. When people become destitute or needy, many conservatives believe it is the responsibility of social infrastructure, including religious groups and charities, to address the problems of the poor.
low tax rates
The Conservative position generally is that government should operate at a subsistence level, bringing in just enough revenue to support essential spending. In some cases, the prudent approach to government budget deficits has been to seek spending reductions. When this goal is unattainable, conservatives generally resort to borrowing to cover the deficit, rarely resorting to tax increases that would increase the economic burden on citizens.
Conservatism also opposes government attempts to influence the economy, often through fiscal policy, to achieve socially desirable goals. Conservatives argue that such attempts often have unexpected and adverse consequences. Socially desirable results, according to conservatism, will be achieved if the free enterprise system is allowed to function.
Disagreement also exists among conservatives on taxation. A progressive income tax is seen as a fine imposed on yield, and some Conservatives favor a flat-rate income tax, but others support a consumption tax. Conservatism also opposes corporate taxation, arguing that corporate taxes are inevitably incorporated into the cost of goods or services and passed on to the consumer, thereby obfuscating the nation’s true tax rate.
National defense
Strong national defense is a feature of conservative philosophy. Many Conservatives believe this is the top priority any government can have. Political conservatism advocates devoting all necessary resources to establishing and maintaining national defense at the highest possible level.
social conservatism
Like most systems of political thought, political conservatism is an ideology that generates controversy, sometimes because people and groups with other agendas cling to the conservative label as a vehicle to get their message across. While they may perceive a community of interests, they also blur the distinction between political conservatism and schools of thought outside the political realm, such as social conservatism. Indeed, in many cases, the distinction between these two particular groups can sometimes be difficult to discern.
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