Conservatism

From ProleWiki, the proletarian encyclopedia

Conservatism refers to a set of political ideologies and beliefs that prioritize tradition, individualism, and free markets. It often emphasizes the importance of limited government intervention in economic and social affairs, and it is often associated with capitalist and capitalist-oriented political agendas.

Conservatives view society as naturally hierarchical, and they often defend the status quo, including traditional social structures and the existing distribution of wealth and power. This belief in the natural hierarchy of society is known as Social Darwinism, where the strong should survive and the weak should be left behind.

Conservatives also tend to support free-market capitalism and laissez-faire economic policies, which prioritize individualism and competition over collective action and cooperation. This economic ideology is known as "neoliberalism" where the state should have minimal involvement in the economy, and individuals should be able to compete freely in the market.[1]

In recent years, the conservative movement has been associated with right-wing populism. This has been seen in various countries where conservative politicians have been associated with anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-women policies, which are seen as an attempt to maintain the status quo of traditional social structures and the existing distribution of wealth and power.

Conservatives also often oppose progressive social and economic policies that would redistribute wealth and power to marginalized groups, such as workers and people of color. This opposition to progressive policies is an attempt to maintain the existing power structures and protect the interests of the ruling class.[2]

See Also

Quotes:Conservatism

References

  1. Harvey, D. (2005). A Brief History of Neoliberalism. New York: Oxford University Press.
  2. Weber, M. (1978). Economy and Society. Berkeley: University of California Press.