Conservatism
Preferring gradual reform
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that emphasizes preserving traditional institutions, practices, and values, generally favoring gradual change over rapid reform.
Conservatives typically support limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and established social structures like family and religion.
The term can describe both a general disposition toward caution and stability and specific political movements, which vary considerably by country and era.
Fiscal conservatism prioritizes balanced budgets and lower taxes.
In casual use, conservatism may simply mean a cautious or conventional approach: His conservatism in investing meant he avoided risky stocks.
Long-established cultural principles
- family valuesBeliefs prioritizing domestic bonds
- religious rightFaith-based political movement
- pro-lifeAgainst elective pregnancy termination
- marriageFormal union between partners
morality · church · evangelical · decency · modesty · patriarchy · community · custom
GOP party member
- ToryBritish right-wing partisan
- right-wingPolitically conservative faction
- limited governmentOfficially bounded political authority
- fiscal responsibilityPrudent management of funds
low taxes · free market · states' rights · Reagan · Thatcher · libertarian · neoconservative · paleoconservative
Custom passed through generations
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- nationalismDevotion to one's country
- patriotismDevotion to one's homeland
identity · roots · folklore · continuity · ancestry · legacy · classical · canon
Careful attention to risk
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- restraintControl over impulses
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
gradualism · incrementalism · stability · order · risk-averse · measured · deliberate · careful
Accumulated money kept
- frugalityEconomical resource management
- risk-aversePreferring safety over uncertainty
- diversificationExpanding into varied areas
- bondsTies that unite
blue-chip · low-risk · portfolio · wealth management · nest egg · retirement · fixed income · stability
traditional values
Long-established cultural principles
- family valuesBeliefs prioritizing domestic bonds
- religious rightFaith-based political movement
- pro-lifeAgainst elective pregnancy termination
marriage · morality · church · evangelical · decency · modesty · patriarchy · community · custom · heritage
Republican
GOP party member
- ToryBritish right-wing partisan
- right-wingPolitically conservative faction
- limited governmentOfficially bounded political authority
fiscal responsibility · low taxes · free market · states' rights · Reagan · Thatcher · libertarian · neoconservative · paleoconservative · GOP
tradition
Custom passed through generations
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- nationalismDevotion to one's country
patriotism · identity · roots · folklore · continuity · ancestry · legacy · classical · canon · establishment
caution
Careful attention to risk
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- restraintControl over impulses
skepticism · gradualism · incrementalism · stability · order · risk-averse · measured · deliberate · careful · circumspect
savings
Accumulated money kept
- frugalityEconomical resource management
- risk-aversePreferring safety over uncertainty
- diversificationExpanding into varied areas
bonds · blue-chip · low-risk · portfolio · wealth management · nest egg · retirement · fixed income · stability · defensive
Conservatismliberalism
Philosophy valuing reform, tolerance
progressivism · socialism · leftism · Marxism · communism
Conservatismradicalism
Pursuit of sweeping change
progressivism · reformism · modernism · iconoclasm · innovation
Conservatismprogressivism
Philosophy advocating societal reform
liberalism · secularism · cosmopolitanism · multiculturalism · permissiveness
- conservative valuesBeliefs favoring established norms
- conservative dressRestrained, traditional clothing
- political conservativeOne favoring established institutions
- law of conservation of energyEnergy cannot be created/destroyed
- water conservationMinimizing freshwater waste strategically
- conservative estimate
conservative, conservatively, conservativeness, conservation, conservationist