the disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change.
the principles and practices of political conservatives.
the form of conservatism advocated by the Conservative Party
the policies, doctrines, or practices of the Conservative Party
opposition to change and innovation
a political philosophy advocating the preservation of the best of the established order in society and opposing radical change
First recorded in 1825–35; conservat(ive) + -ism
When people discuss politics and mention the word conservatism, they're talking about a philosophy that favors making few changes in society, sticking with traditions, and often spending as little money as possible. Conservatism is most often used to describe the beliefs of right-wing politicians and the people who tend to vote for them. There are some who practice fiscal conservatism — which focuses on reducing spending and cutting budgets — while being more liberal socially. Social conservatism tends to favor things like traditional roles for women and men, and to object to major changes in society like same sex marriage. A person who embraces conservatism is called a conservative.
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This second era was the Era of CONSERVATISM.
From American Eloquence, Volume 3 Studies In American Political History (1897) by Johnston, Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
