Social conservatism: Difference between revisions

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{{Conservatism sidebar|variants}}
{{Conservatism sidebar|variants}}


'''Social conservatism''' is a [[political philosophy]] and a variety of [[conservatism]] which places emphasis on [[Tradition#In political and religious discourse|traditional]] social structures over [[Cultural pluralism|social pluralism]].<ref name="Wiener 1973">{{Cite journal|last=Wiener|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jon Wiener|date=Spring 1973|title=Review: ''The Politics of Unreason: Right-Wing Extremism in America, 1790-1970''|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/202704|journal=The Journal of Interdisciplinary History|publisher=[[MIT Press]]|volume=3|issue=4|pages=791{{ndash}}793|doi=10.2307/202704|jstor=202704|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Cooper|first=Melinda|title=Family Values: Between Neoliberalism and the New Social Conservatism|publisher=Zone Books|year=2019}}</ref> Social conservatives [[Political campaign|organize]] in favor of [[duty]], [[traditional values]] and [[Institution|social institutions]], such as traditional [[Familialism|family structures]], [[Gender roles#Political ideologies|gender role]]s, [[sexual relations]], [[Patriotism#Cultural aspects|national patriotism]], and [[Religion#Impact|religious traditions]].<ref>{{cite book |author-first=Robert B. |author-last=Smith |title=Social Conservatism, Distractors, and Authoritarianism: Axiological versus instrumental rationality |editor=Harry F. Dahms|date=2014|publisher=Emerald Group Publishing|isbn=978-1-78441-222-7|page=101|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C5V1BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA101|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Social Conservatism |url=https://www.populismstudies.org/Vocabulary/social-conservatism/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Populism Studies |language=en-US}}</ref> Social conservatism is usually skeptical of social change, instead tending to support the [[status quo]] concerning social issues.<ref name=":0" />
'''Social conservatism''' is a [[political philosophy]] and a variety of [[conservatism]] which places emphasis on conserving the traditional moral values of a society, typically sourced from a religion. It also aims to preserve [[Tradition#In political and religious discourse|traditional]] social structures over [[Cultural pluralism|social pluralism]].<ref name="Wiener 1973">{{Cite journal|last=Wiener|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jon Wiener|date=Spring 1973|title=Review: ''The Politics of Unreason: Right-Wing Extremism in America, 1790-1970''|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/202704|journal=The Journal of Interdisciplinary History|publisher=[[MIT Press]]|volume=3|issue=4|pages=791{{ndash}}793|doi=10.2307/202704|jstor=202704|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Cooper|first=Melinda|title=Family Values: Between Neoliberalism and the New Social Conservatism|publisher=Zone Books|year=2019}}</ref> Social conservatives [[Political campaign|organize]] in favor of [[duty]], [[traditional values]], and [[Institution|social institutions]], such as traditional [[Familialism|family structures]], [[Gender roles#Political ideologies|gender role]]s, [[sexual relations]], [[Patriotism#Cultural aspects|national patriotism]], and [[Religion#Impact|religious traditions]].<ref>{{cite book |author-first=Robert B. |author-last=Smith |title=Social Conservatism, Distractors, and Authoritarianism: Axiological versus instrumental rationality |editor=Harry F. Dahms|date=2014|publisher=Emerald Group Publishing|isbn=978-1-78441-222-7|page=101|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C5V1BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA101|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Social Conservatism |url=https://www.populismstudies.org/Vocabulary/social-conservatism/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Populism Studies |language=en-US}}</ref> Social conservatism is usually skeptical of social change, instead tending to support the [[status quo]] concerning social issues.<ref name=":0" />


Social conservatives also value the rights of religious institutions to participate in the public sphere, thus often supporting [[accommodationism|government-religious endorsement]] and opposing [[state atheism]], and in some cases opposing [[secularism]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Dean|first=John W.|title=Conservatives Without Conscience|date=11 July 2006|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|language=en|isbn=978-1-101-20137-4|page=77}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Wald|first1=Kenneth D.|last2=Calhoun-Brown|first2=Allison|title=Religion and Politics in the United States|year=2007|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|language=en|isbn=978-0-7425-4041-5|page=240}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Booten |first1=Matthew |title=19 different types of conservatives |url=https://www.politic-ed.com/2020/05/11/19-different-types-of-conservatives/ |website=Politic-Ed |date=11 May 2020 |quote=Social conservatism often opposes state-atheism, however not necessarily atheism itself. They believe that if we allow states to stop believing in God, that societal order will simply break down as a result.}}</ref>
Social conservatives also value the rights of religious institutions to participate in the public sphere, thus often supporting [[accommodationism|government-religious endorsement]] and opposing [[state atheism]], and in some cases opposing [[secularism]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Dean|first=John W.|title=Conservatives Without Conscience|date=11 July 2006|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|language=en|isbn=978-1-101-20137-4|page=77}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Wald|first1=Kenneth D.|last2=Calhoun-Brown|first2=Allison|title=Religion and Politics in the United States|year=2007|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|language=en|isbn=978-0-7425-4041-5|page=240}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Booten |first1=Matthew |title=19 different types of conservatives |url=https://www.politic-ed.com/2020/05/11/19-different-types-of-conservatives/ |website=Politic-Ed |date=11 May 2020 |quote=Social conservatism often opposes state-atheism, however not necessarily atheism itself. They believe that if we allow states to stop believing in God, that societal order will simply break down as a result.}}</ref>
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Nevertheless, the [[National Right (Liberal Party of Australia)|National Right]] (also known as the "Conservative" faction or the "Right" faction) serves as the party's social conservative faction, although the party is still considered a [[broad church]] conservative party and factions do collaborate with each other; for example, the [[New South Wales Liberal Party]] often chooses a leadership team consisting of both a member of the more centrist [[Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)|Moderate]] faction and a member of the Right.
Nevertheless, the [[National Right (Liberal Party of Australia)|National Right]] (also known as the "Conservative" faction or the "Right" faction) serves as the party's social conservative faction, although the party is still considered a [[broad church]] conservative party and factions do collaborate with each other; for example, the [[New South Wales Liberal Party]] often chooses a leadership team consisting of both a member of the more centrist [[Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)|Moderate]] faction and a member of the Right.


Social conservatives in Australia often need to take a broad church stance while governing. For example, former [[New South Wales Liberal Party]] leader and state premier, [[Dominic Perrottet]], a conservative [[Catholicism in Australia|Catholic]], despite having voted against legalising [[same-sex marriage in Australia|same-sex marriage]] in 2018 and opposing [[abortion]], followed Labor leader [[Chris Minns]]' in supporting a 2023 state-wide ban on gay [[conversion therapy]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/premier-dominic-perrottet-to-back-ban-on-gay-conversion-practices/655d8171-eca1-4929-a694-af25ef48ea9b | title=NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet agrees to gay conversion therapy ban }}</ref> whilst also vowing to protect [[religious freedom]] and [[preaching]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/we-won-t-ban-preaching-perrottet-puts-caveats-on-gay-conversion-law-20230222-p5cmtc.html | title=NSW election 2023: Perrottet puts caveats on gay conversion law | date=22 February 2023 }}</ref>
Social conservatives in Australia often need to take a broad church stance while governing. For example, former [[New South Wales Liberal Party]] leader and state premier, [[Dominic Perrottet]], a conservative [[Catholicism in Australia|Catholic]], despite having voted against legalising [[same-sex marriage in Australia|same-sex marriage]] in 2018 and opposing [[abortion]], followed Labor leader [[Chris Minns]]' in supporting a 2023 state-wide ban on gay [[conversion therapy]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/premier-dominic-perrottet-to-back-ban-on-gay-conversion-practices/655d8171-eca1-4929-a694-af25ef48ea9b | title=NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet agrees to gay conversion therapy ban | date=17 February 2023 }}</ref> whilst also vowing to protect [[religious freedom]] and [[preaching]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/we-won-t-ban-preaching-perrottet-puts-caveats-on-gay-conversion-law-20230222-p5cmtc.html | title=NSW election 2023: Perrottet puts caveats on gay conversion law | date=22 February 2023 }}</ref>


During the [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey]] of 2018, which successfully sought to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia, the Coalition government led by [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[Malcolm Turnbull]] allowed its members a [[conscience vote]] on the issue. While many (including Turnbull) were in favour, some were opposed, but supported holding a [[plebiscite]] on the matter. Federal Coalition MPs who opposed same-sex marriage during the debate included former Prime Minister [[Tony Abbott]], [[Peter Dutton]], [[Scott Morrison]] and many others. However, when the plebiscite was successful (with 61.6% in favour), a vote needed to be held in both chambers of [[Australian Parliament|Parliament]]. The ''[[Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017]]'' was tabled in the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] and was subsequently passed in the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], with just three votes against (excluding the members who abstained). Due to their respective electorates delivering a majority "yes" vote (as well as the entire country), members such as Dutton (who voted "no" in the plebiscite) voted in favour of the bill after his seat of [[Division of Dickson|Dickson]] voted 65.16% in favour.
During the [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey]] of 2018, which successfully sought to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia, the Coalition government led by [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[Malcolm Turnbull]] allowed its members a [[conscience vote]] on the issue. While many (including Turnbull) were in favour, some were opposed, but supported holding a [[plebiscite]] on the matter. Federal Coalition MPs who opposed same-sex marriage during the debate included former Prime Minister [[Tony Abbott]], [[Peter Dutton]], [[Scott Morrison]] and many others. However, when the plebiscite was successful (with 61.6% in favour), a vote needed to be held in both chambers of [[Australian Parliament|Parliament]]. The ''[[Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017]]'' was tabled in the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] and was subsequently passed in the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], with just three votes against (excluding the members who abstained). Due to their respective electorates delivering a majority "yes" vote (as well as the entire country), members such as Dutton (who voted "no" in the plebiscite) voted in favour of the bill after his seat of [[Division of Dickson|Dickson]] voted 65.16% in favour.
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Compared to [[social conservatism in the United States]], social conservatism has not been as influential in Canada. The main reason is that the [[neoconservative]] style of politics as promoted by leaders such as former Prime Ministers such as [[Paul Martin]] and [[Stephen Harper]] have focused on [[fiscal conservatism]], with little or no emphasis on moral or social conservatism.<ref>John Middlemist Herrick and Paul H. Stuart, eds. ''Encyclopedia of social welfare history in North America'' (2005) p. 143</ref> Without a specific, large political party behind them, social conservatives have divided their votes and can be found in all political parties.<ref>David M. Haskell, ''Through a lens darkly: how the news media perceive and portray evangelicals'' (2009) p 57</ref>
Compared to [[social conservatism in the United States]], social conservatism has not been as influential in Canada. The main reason is that the [[neoconservative]] style of politics as promoted by leaders such as former Prime Ministers such as [[Paul Martin]] and [[Stephen Harper]] have focused on [[fiscal conservatism]], with little or no emphasis on moral or social conservatism.<ref>John Middlemist Herrick and Paul H. Stuart, eds. ''Encyclopedia of social welfare history in North America'' (2005) p. 143</ref> Without a specific, large political party behind them, social conservatives have divided their votes and can be found in all political parties.<ref>David M. Haskell, ''Through a lens darkly: how the news media perceive and portray evangelicals'' (2009) p 57</ref>


Social conservatives often felt that they were being sidelined by officials in the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada]] and its leadership of so-called "[[Red Tories]]" for the last half of the twentieth century and therefore many eventually made their political home with parties such as the [[Social Credit Party of Canada]] and the [[Reform Party of Canada]]. Despite the Reform Party being dominated by social conservatives, leader [[Preston Manning]], seeking greater national support for the party, was reluctant for the party to wholly embrace socially conservative values. This led to his deposition as leader of the party (now called [[Canadian Alliance]]) in favor of social conservative [[Stockwell Day]].<ref>Murray Dobbin, ''Preston Manning and the Reform Party'' (1991)</ref> The party's successor, the [[Conservative Party of Canada]], despite having a number of socially conservative members and cabinet ministers, has chosen so far not to focus on socially conservative issues in its platform. This was most recently exemplified on two occasions in 2012 when the current [[Conservative Party of Canada]] declared they had no intention to repeal [[same-sex marriage]] or [[abortion]] laws.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/13/same-sex-marriages-declared-legal-and-valid-by-justice-minister-rob-nicholson/|title=Same-sex marriages declared legal and valid by federal justice minister Rob Nicholson|date=13 January 2012|work=National Post}}</ref>
Social conservatives often felt that they were being sidelined by officials in the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada]] and its leadership of so-called "[[Red Tories]]" for the last half of the twentieth century and therefore many eventually made their political home with parties such as the [[Social Credit Party of Canada]] and the [[Reform Party of Canada]]. Despite the Reform Party being dominated by social conservatives, leader [[Preston Manning]], seeking greater national support for the party, was reluctant for the party to wholly embrace socially conservative values. This led to his deposition as leader of the party (now called [[Canadian Alliance]]) in favor of social conservative [[Stockwell Day]].<ref>Murray Dobbin, ''Preston Manning and the Reform Party'' (1991)</ref> The party's successor, the [[Conservative Party of Canada]], despite having a number of socially conservative members and cabinet ministers, has chosen so far not to focus on socially conservative issues in its platform. This was most recently exemplified on two occasions in 2012 when the current [[Conservative Party of Canada]] declared they had no intention to repeal [[same-sex marriage]] or [[abortion]] laws.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/same-sex-marriages-declared-legal-and-valid-by-justice-minister-rob-nicholson|title=Same-sex marriages declared legal and valid by federal justice minister Rob Nicholson|date=13 January 2012|work=National Post}}</ref>
 
=== China ===
[[Chiang Kai-shek]], a former [[President of the Republic of China|president]] of [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]], could be seen as a social conservative who was critical of [[Liberalism in China|liberal values]] and defended the union of [[Confucian]] traditions and [[modernism]]. Under his rule, the [[Kuomintang]] led the [[New Life Movement]].
 
After the [[Chinese Communist Revolution]], social conservatism in China increased due to the rise of [[New Confucianism]] and others after the 1970s to 1980s during the [[Reform and opening up|Chinese economic reform]].
 
CCP general secretary Xi has adopted a more conservative social view since he began his [[General secretaryship of Xi Jinping|third leadership]] in [[20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party|2022]]. He reflects traditional and patriarchal views of women in speeches and policies. This is related to China's low birth rate problem.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/6330091/china-population-xi-childbirth-culture/ |title=Facing Population Decline, China's Xi Promotes 'Childbirth Culture' for Women |date=31 October 2023 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] }}</ref>


===Islamic world===
===Islamic world===
{{Further|Sharia|Conservatism in Islam}}
{{Further|Sharia|Conservatism in Islam}}
Most Muslim countries are somewhat more socially conservative (such as [[Tajikistan]] and [[Malaysia]]) than neighbouring countries that are not Muslim. However, due to their interpretation of Islamic law also known as Shariah, they have some differences from social conservatism as understood in the nations of West Europe, North America and Oceania.{{cn|date=September 2023}}
Due to their interpretation of Islamic law also known as Shariah, they have some differences from social conservatism as understood in the nations of West Europe, North America and Oceania.{{cn|date=September 2023}}


==== Arab world ====
==== Arab world ====
{{Further|Arab world|Islam|Censorship}}
{{Further|Arab world|Islam|Censorship}}
The Arab world has recently{{when|date=October 2021}} been more conservative in social and moral issues due to the [[Arab Spring|Arab spring]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} An example of a socially conservative party is the [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|Justice and Development Party]] of Morocco.
The Arab world has recently{{when|date=October 2021}} been more conservative in social and moral issues owing to the [[Arab Spring|Arab spring]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} An example of a socially conservative party is the [[Justice and Development Party (Morocco)|Justice and Development Party]] of Morocco.


==== Pakistan ====
==== Pakistan ====
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=== South Africa ===
=== South Africa ===


Social conservatism had an important place in [[Apartheid]] South Africa ruled by the [[National Party (South Africa)|National Party]].  Pornography,<ref>JCW Van Rooyen, Censorship in South Africa (Cape Town: Juta and Co., 1987),</ref> gambling<ref>Bet and board in the new South Africa. (legalisation of gambling could lead to growth of casinos, lotteries)(Brief Article)''The Economist'' (US) | 5 August 1995</ref> and other activities that were deemed undesirable were severely restricted. The majority of businesses were forbidden from doing [[Sunday shopping|business on Sunday]].<ref>Apartheid mythology and symbolism.
Social conservatism had an important place in [[Apartheid]] South Africa ruled by the [[National Party (South Africa)|National Party]].  Pornography,<ref>JCW Van Rooyen, Censorship in South Africa (Cape Town: Juta and Co., 1987),</ref> gambling,<ref>Bet and board in the new South Africa. (legalisation of gambling could lead to growth of casinos, lotteries) (Brief Article)''The Economist'' (US) | 5 August 1995</ref> and other activities that were deemed undesirable were severely restricted. The majority of businesses were forbidden from doing [[Sunday shopping|business on Sunday]].<ref>Apartheid mythology and symbolism.
desegregated and re-invented in the service of nation building in the new South Africa: the covenant and the battle of Blood/Ncome River</ref>
desegregated and re-invented in the service of nation building in the new South Africa: the covenant and the battle of Blood/Ncome River</ref>


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{{Main|Social conservatism in the United States}}
{{Main|Social conservatism in the United States}}


Social conservatism in the [[United States]] is a [[right-wing politics|right-wing]] political ideology that opposes [[progressivism|social progressivism]]. It is centered on the preservation of what adherents often call 'traditional' or '[[family values]]', though the accepted aims of the movement often vary amongst the organisations it comprises, making it hard to generalise about ideological preferences. There are, however, a number of general principles to which at least a majority of social conservatives adhere, such as [[Anti-abortion movements|opposition to abortion]] and opposition to [[same-sex marriage]].<ref name="Wiener 1973" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Riley|first1=Jim|title=Liberalism & Conservatism|url=http://academic.regis.edu/jriley/libcons.htm|website=academic.regis.edu|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114163741/http://academic.regis.edu/jriley/libcons.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Farney|first1=James Harold|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=odcZbJnUN3cC&pg=PA13|title=Social Conservatives and Party Politics in Canada and the United States|date=2012|publisher=University of Toronto Press|isbn=978-1-4426-1260-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Cramer|first=Clayton E.|title=Social Conservatism in An Age of Revolution: Legislating Christian Morality in Revolutionary America|year=2016}}</ref> Sociologist [[Harry F. Dahms]] suggests that Christian doctrinal conservatives (anti-abortion, anti-same-sex marriage) and gun-use conservatives (such as supporters and members of the [[National Rifle Association of America]] (NRA)) form two domains of ideology within American social conservatism.<ref>{{cite book |author-first=Robert B. |author-last=Smith |title=Social Conservatism, Distractors, and Authoritarianism: Axiological versus instrumental rationality |editor=Harry F. Dahms |date=2014|publisher=Emerald Group Publishing|isbn=978-1-78441-222-7|page=101|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C5V1BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA101|language=en}}</ref>
Social conservatism in the [[United States]] is a [[right-wing politics|right-wing]] political ideology that opposes [[progressivism|social progressivism]]. It is centered on the preservation of what adherents often call 'traditional' or '[[family values]]', though the accepted aims of the movement often vary amongst the organisations it comprises, making it hard to generalise about ideological preferences. There are, however, a number of general principles to which at least a majority of social conservatives adhere, such as [[Anti-abortion movements|opposition to abortion]] and opposition to [[same-sex marriage]].<ref name="Wiener 1973" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Riley|first1=Jim|title=Liberalism & Conservatism|url=http://academic.regis.edu/jriley/libcons.htm|website=academic.regis.edu|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114163741/http://academic.regis.edu/jriley/libcons.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Farney|first1=James Harold|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=odcZbJnUN3cC&pg=PA13|title=Social Conservatives and Party Politics in Canada and the United States|date=2012|publisher=University of Toronto Press|isbn=978-1-4426-1260-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Cramer|first=Clayton E.|title=Social Conservatism in An Age of Revolution: Legislating Christian Morality in Revolutionary America|year=2016}}</ref> Sociologist [[Harry F. Dahms]] suggests that Christian doctrinal conservatives (anti-abortion, anti-same-sex marriage) and gun-use conservatives (such as supporters and members of the [[National Rifle Association of America]]) form two domains of ideology within American social conservatism.<ref>{{cite book |author-first=Robert B. |author-last=Smith |title=Social Conservatism, Distractors, and Authoritarianism: Axiological versus instrumental rationality |editor=Harry F. Dahms |date=2014|publisher=Emerald Group Publishing|isbn=978-1-78441-222-7|page=101|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C5V1BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA101|language=en}}</ref>


The [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] is the largest United States political party with socially conservative ideals incorporated into its platform. Other socially conservative parties include the [[American Solidarity Party]], and the [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution Party]] .
The [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] is the largest United States political party with socially conservative ideals incorporated into its platform. Other socially conservative parties include the [[American Solidarity Party]], and the [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution Party]].


Social conservatives are strongest in the South, where they are a mainstream political force with aspirations to translate those ideals using the party platform nationally. Supporters of social conservatism played a major role in the political coalitions of [[Ronald Reagan]] and [[George W. Bush]].<ref>Darren Dochuk, ''From Bible Belt to Sun Belt: Plain-Folk Religion, Grassroots Politics, and the Rise of Evangelical Conservatism'' (W.W. Norton & Company; 2010) shows how migrants to Southern California from Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas provided evangelical support for social conservatism.</ref>
Social conservatives are strongest in the South, where they are a mainstream political force with aspirations to translate those ideals using the party platform nationally. Supporters of social conservatism played a major role in the political coalitions of [[Ronald Reagan]] and [[George W. Bush]].<ref>Darren Dochuk, ''From Bible Belt to Sun Belt: Plain-Folk Religion, Grassroots Politics, and the Rise of Evangelical Conservatism'' (W.W. Norton & Company; 2010) shows how migrants to Southern California from Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas provided evangelical support for social conservatism.</ref>
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* [[Republican Party (Chile, 2019)|Chilean Republican Party]] (PLR)
* [[Republican Party (Chile, 2019)|Chilean Republican Party]] (PLR)
* [[Independent Democratic Union]] (UDI)
* [[Independent Democratic Union]] (UDI)
=== China ===
* [[Chinese Communist Party]] (factions) <ref>{{cite news |date=18 Feb 2018 |title=Xi Jinping Thought Explained: A New Ideology for a New Era? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/world/asia/xi-jinping-thought-explained-a-new-ideology-for-a-new-era.html |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=www.nytimes.com |language=en}}</ref>


===Czech Republic===
===Czech Republic===
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===Israel===
===Israel===
* [[Noam (political party)|Noam]]
* [[Shas]]
* [[Shas]]
* [[Agudat Yisrael]]
* [[Agudat Yisrael]]
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* [[United Torah Judaism]]
* [[United Torah Judaism]]
* [[National Religious Party–Religious Zionism]]
* [[National Religious Party–Religious Zionism]]
* [[Noam (political party)|Noam]]
* [[Otzma Yehudit]]
* [[Otzma Yehudit]]
* [[Yachad (political party)|Yachad]]
* [[United Arab List]]
* [[United Arab List]]


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=== Moldova ===
=== Moldova ===
* [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova]]
* [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova]]
* [[Victory (political bloc)|Victory]]
* [[Our Party (Moldova)|Our Party]]
* [[Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova]]
* [[Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova]]


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=== Portugal ===
=== Portugal ===
* [[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|Social Democratic Party]]
* [[CDS – People's Party]]
* [[Chega (political party)|Chega]]
* [[Chega (political party)|Chega]]


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===Slovakia===
===Slovakia===
* [[Direction – Social Democracy]]
* [[Christian Democratic Movement]]
* [[Christian Democratic Movement]]
* [[Direction – Social Democracy]]
* [[Slovak National Party]]
* [[Slovak National Party]]
* [[We Are Family (Slovakia)|We Are Family]]
* [[We Are Family (Slovakia)|We Are Family]]
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=== Spain ===
=== Spain ===
* [[Spanish Alternative]]
* [[Spanish Alternative]]
* [[People's Party (Spain)|People's Party]]
* [[Vox (Spanish political party)|Vox]]
* [[Vox (Spanish political party)|Vox]]


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* [[Anti-abortion movement]]
* [[Anti-abortion movement]]
* [[Family values]]
* [[Family values]]
* [[List of economic left and socially conservative political parties]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Social conservatism| ]]
[[Category:Social conservatism| ]]
[[Category:Conservatism]]
[[Category:Conservatism]]
[[Category:Right-wing ideologies]]
[[Category:Social philosophy]]
[[Category:Social philosophy]]
[[Category:Social policy]]
[[Category:Social policy]]
[[Category:Political science terminology]]
[[Category:Political science terminology]]

Latest revision as of 12:50, 7 November 2025

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Social conservatism is a political philosophy and a variety of conservatism which places emphasis on conserving the traditional moral values of a society, typically sourced from a religion. It also aims to preserve traditional social structures over social pluralism.[1][2] Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values, and social institutions, such as traditional family structures, gender roles, sexual relations, national patriotism, and religious traditions.[3][4] Social conservatism is usually skeptical of social change, instead tending to support the status quo concerning social issues.[4]

Social conservatives also value the rights of religious institutions to participate in the public sphere, thus often supporting government-religious endorsement and opposing state atheism, and in some cases opposing secularism.[5][6][7]

Social conservatism, as a movement, is largely an outgrowth of traditionalist conservatism. The key difference is that traditional conservatism is broader and includes philosophical considerations, whereas social conservatism is largely focused on just moralism.

Social conservatism and other ideological views

There is overlap between social conservatism and paleoconservatism, in that they both support and value traditional social forms.[8]

Social conservatism is not to be confused with economically interventionist conservatism, where conservative ideas are combined with Keynesian economics and a welfare state as practised by some European conservatives (e.g. one-nation conservatives in the United Kingdom, Gaullists in France). Some social conservatives support free trade and laissez faire market approaches to economic and fiscal issues, but social conservatives may also support economic intervention where the intervention serves moral or cultural aims. Historian Jon Wiener has described social conservatism as historically the result of an appeal from "elitist preservationists" to lower-class workers to 'protect' wealth from immigration.[1][9]

Many social conservatives support a balance between protectionism and a free market. This concern for material welfare, like advocacy of traditional mores, will often have a basis in religion. Examples include the Christian Social Union of Bavaria, the Family First Party and Katter's Australian Party, and the communitarian movement in the United States.[10]

Social conservatism by country

Australia

Template:Further information Mainstream conservatism in Australia generally incorporates liberalism, hence liberal conservatism being the primary ideology of the major centre-right coalition in Australia, the Liberal-National Coalition. Therefore, the Coalition, while having members with some socially conservative views, is not considered socially conservative. However, both social conservatism and right-wing populism are present among right-wing minor parties, such as Pauline Hanson's One Nation, the United Australia Party (UAP) and Katter's Australian Party (KAP) amongst others.

Nevertheless, the National Right (also known as the "Conservative" faction or the "Right" faction) serves as the party's social conservative faction, although the party is still considered a broad church conservative party and factions do collaborate with each other; for example, the New South Wales Liberal Party often chooses a leadership team consisting of both a member of the more centrist Moderate faction and a member of the Right.

Social conservatives in Australia often need to take a broad church stance while governing. For example, former New South Wales Liberal Party leader and state premier, Dominic Perrottet, a conservative Catholic, despite having voted against legalising same-sex marriage in 2018 and opposing abortion, followed Labor leader Chris Minns' in supporting a 2023 state-wide ban on gay conversion therapy,[11] whilst also vowing to protect religious freedom and preaching.[12]

During the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey of 2018, which successfully sought to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia, the Coalition government led by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull allowed its members a conscience vote on the issue. While many (including Turnbull) were in favour, some were opposed, but supported holding a plebiscite on the matter. Federal Coalition MPs who opposed same-sex marriage during the debate included former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Peter Dutton, Scott Morrison and many others. However, when the plebiscite was successful (with 61.6% in favour), a vote needed to be held in both chambers of Parliament. The Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 was tabled in the Senate and was subsequently passed in the House of Representatives, with just three votes against (excluding the members who abstained). Due to their respective electorates delivering a majority "yes" vote (as well as the entire country), members such as Dutton (who voted "no" in the plebiscite) voted in favour of the bill after his seat of Dickson voted 65.16% in favour.

Canada

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In Canada, social conservatism, though widespread, is not as prominent in the public sphere as in the United States. It is prevalent in all areas of the country but is seen as being more prominent in rural areas. It is also a significant influence on the ideological and political culture of the western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Compared to social conservatism in the United States, social conservatism has not been as influential in Canada. The main reason is that the neoconservative style of politics as promoted by leaders such as former Prime Ministers such as Paul Martin and Stephen Harper have focused on fiscal conservatism, with little or no emphasis on moral or social conservatism.[13] Without a specific, large political party behind them, social conservatives have divided their votes and can be found in all political parties.[14]

Social conservatives often felt that they were being sidelined by officials in the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and its leadership of so-called "Red Tories" for the last half of the twentieth century and therefore many eventually made their political home with parties such as the Social Credit Party of Canada and the Reform Party of Canada. Despite the Reform Party being dominated by social conservatives, leader Preston Manning, seeking greater national support for the party, was reluctant for the party to wholly embrace socially conservative values. This led to his deposition as leader of the party (now called Canadian Alliance) in favor of social conservative Stockwell Day.[15] The party's successor, the Conservative Party of Canada, despite having a number of socially conservative members and cabinet ministers, has chosen so far not to focus on socially conservative issues in its platform. This was most recently exemplified on two occasions in 2012 when the current Conservative Party of Canada declared they had no intention to repeal same-sex marriage or abortion laws.[16]

Islamic world

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Arab world

Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". The Arab world has recentlyTemplate:When been more conservative in social and moral issues owing to the Arab spring.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". An example of a socially conservative party is the Justice and Development Party of Morocco.

Pakistan

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal is an alliance of socially conservative and Islamist political parties in Pakistan.

India

Hindu social conservatism

Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". Hindu social conservatism in India in the twenty first century has developed into an influential movement, represented in the political arena by the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party. Hindu social conservatism, also known as the Hindutva movement, is spearheaded by the voluntary non-governmental organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The core philosophy of this ideology is nativism, and it sees Hinduism as a national identity, rather than a religious one. Due to an inclination towards nativism, much of its platform is based on the belief that Islamic and Christian denominations in India are the result of occupations, and, therefore, these groups should be uprooted from the Indian subcontinent by converting their members back to Hinduism.

In terms of political positions, Hindu social conservatives in India seek to institutionalize a Uniform Civil Code (which is also a directive under Article 44 of the Constitution of India) for members of all religions,[17] over the current scheme of different personal laws for different religions. For instance, polygamy is legal for Muslims in India, but not Hindus.

Muslim social conservatism

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South Africa

Social conservatism had an important place in Apartheid South Africa ruled by the National Party. Pornography,[18] gambling,[19] and other activities that were deemed undesirable were severely restricted. The majority of businesses were forbidden from doing business on Sunday.[20]

United States

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Social conservatism in the United States is a right-wing political ideology that opposes social progressivism. It is centered on the preservation of what adherents often call 'traditional' or 'family values', though the accepted aims of the movement often vary amongst the organisations it comprises, making it hard to generalise about ideological preferences. There are, however, a number of general principles to which at least a majority of social conservatives adhere, such as opposition to abortion and opposition to same-sex marriage.[1][21][22][23] Sociologist Harry F. Dahms suggests that Christian doctrinal conservatives (anti-abortion, anti-same-sex marriage) and gun-use conservatives (such as supporters and members of the National Rifle Association of America) form two domains of ideology within American social conservatism.[24]

The Republican Party is the largest United States political party with socially conservative ideals incorporated into its platform. Other socially conservative parties include the American Solidarity Party, and the Constitution Party.

Social conservatives are strongest in the South, where they are a mainstream political force with aspirations to translate those ideals using the party platform nationally. Supporters of social conservatism played a major role in the political coalitions of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.[25]

Other areas

There are also social conservative movements in many other parts of the world, such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Europe, Mediterranean countries, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

Examples of social conservative political parties

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Canada

Chile

China

Czech Republic

Denmark

El Salvador

Estonia

Faroe Islands

Fiji

Finland

France

Germany

Georgia

Greece

Hungary

India

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Luxembourg

Mexico

Moldova

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

Spain

Serbia

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

Ukraine

United Kingdom

Northern Ireland

United States

Social conservative factions of political parties

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See also

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References

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Bibliography

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Further reading

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External links

Template:Social philosophy Template:Christian Democracy Template:Conservatism navbox Template:American Social Conservatism

  1. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Self-published source
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ John Middlemist Herrick and Paul H. Stuart, eds. Encyclopedia of social welfare history in North America (2005) p. 143
  14. ↑ David M. Haskell, Through a lens darkly: how the news media perceive and portray evangelicals (2009) p 57
  15. ↑ Murray Dobbin, Preston Manning and the Reform Party (1991)
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ JCW Van Rooyen, Censorship in South Africa (Cape Town: Juta and Co., 1987),
  19. ↑ Bet and board in the new South Africa. (legalisation of gambling could lead to growth of casinos, lotteries) (Brief Article)The Economist (US) | 5 August 1995
  20. ↑ Apartheid mythology and symbolism. desegregated and re-invented in the service of nation building in the new South Africa: the covenant and the battle of Blood/Ncome River
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Darren Dochuk, From Bible Belt to Sun Belt: Plain-Folk Religion, Grassroots Politics, and the Rise of Evangelical Conservatism (W.W. Norton & Company; 2010) shows how migrants to Southern California from Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas provided evangelical support for social conservatism.
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Il programma del Popolo della Famiglia di Mario Adinolfi Template:Webarchive (intelligonews)
  28. ↑ Programma Template:Webarchive (Italia Cristiana)
  29. ↑ Parties and Elections in Europe Template:Webarchive. Parties-and-elections.eu. Retrieved on 24 August 2013.
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Inada, Miho; Dvorak, Phred. "Same-Sex Marriage in Japan: A Long Way Away?" Template:Webarchive. The Wall Street Journal. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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