Description


This article is from the Conservatism FAQ, by Jim Kalb kalb@aya.yale.edu with numerous contributions by others.

What do all these things called "conservatism" have in common?

Each rejects, through an appeal to something traditionally valued,
the liberal tendency to treat individual impulse and desire as the
final authorities. Differences in the preferred point of reference
give rise to different forms of conservatism. Those who appeal to the
independent and responsible individual become libertarian
conservatives, while those who appeal to a traditional culture or to
God become traditionalist or religious conservatives. Depending on
circumstances, the alliance among different forms of conservatism may
be closer or more tenuous. In America today libertarian,
traditionalist and religious conservatives find common ground in
favoring federalism and constitutional limited government and
opposing the managerial welfare state.