paleoconservative

[pey-lee-oh-kuhn-sur-vuh-tiv, pal-ee-oh-]

noun

1. a person advocating an older, traditional type of conservatism, especially in politics.

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to such people or their views.

Other Word Forms

• paleoconservatism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paleoconservative¹

First recorded in 1980–85; paleo- ( def. ) + conservative ( def. )

Example Sentences

John Ganz, the author of “When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s” noted in his Unpopular Front newsletter that Schmitt’s entire speech was nothing but warmed over paleoconservative dogma from 30 years ago, specifically the ideas of the writer Samuel T. Francis.

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In a recent exchange for the New York Times, Russian expat Masha Gessen and paleoconservative Bret Stephens observed the improbable fact that they were largely in agreement.

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They’ve been part of the paleoconservative liturgy since well back into the Cold War years, and were probably poured into his ear by some foreign policy dinosaur who still privately laments that “we lost China” and surrendered in Vietnam.

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But “Know Your Enemy” appeals to socialists, Democrats and more than a few conservatives — some who have been guests — interested in right-wing thought including that of neoconservatives, so-called reformicons and a species known as the paleoconservative.

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No matter how compelling your favorite right-wing radio host or paleoconservative podcaster might be, they’re not broadcasting 24 hours a day.

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