Social Conservatism

Definition

Social conservatism is a political ideology that emphasizes traditional social values and practices, often resisting change and promoting the preservation of existing societal structures and norms. It is typically associated with a resistance to progressive social reforms and a desire to maintain the status quo.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Social conservatism often aligns with a strong emphasis on traditional gender roles, family structures, and religious values.
2. Social conservatives typically oppose changes to laws and policies that they perceive as undermining traditional morality, such as abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and secularization.
3. Social conservatism is often associated with a desire to maintain existing power structures and hierarchies, and a resistance to policies that aim to promote greater social and economic equality.
4. Social conservatives may support policies that prioritize law and order, national security, and the preservation of cultural and national identity over more progressive or liberal social reforms.
5. The rise of social conservatism in the United States during the late 20th century was partly a reaction to the social and cultural changes of the 1960s and 1970s, such as the civil rights movement, the women's movement, and the counterculture.

Review Questions

• Explain how social conservatism relates to the concept of 'transformation' in the context of the 24.2 Transformation and Backlash topic.
  • Social conservatism can be seen as a backlash against the social and cultural transformations that occurred during the 1960s and 1970s. Social conservatives sought to resist and undo the progressive changes that challenged traditional values, gender roles, and societal structures. They aimed to maintain the status quo and preserve existing power dynamics, often through policies and rhetoric that emphasized law and order, national security, and the preservation of traditional cultural and religious norms.
• Describe the role of social conservatism in the political and cultural 'backlash' that emerged in response to the social transformations of the 1960s and 1970s.
  • Social conservatism was a key driver of the political and cultural backlash that arose in response to the social transformations of the 1960s and 1970s. Social conservatives mobilized to oppose and reverse the progressive changes that had challenged traditional values, gender roles, and societal structures. This backlash manifested in the rise of conservative political movements, the election of Republican presidents like Ronald Reagan, and the implementation of policies and legislation that aimed to reinforce traditional morality and social norms. The backlash against social change was a significant factor in the political and cultural landscape of the United States during this period.
• Analyze how the core tenets of social conservatism, such as the emphasis on traditional values and resistance to change, shaped the broader political and social dynamics of the 'Transformation and Backlash' period.
  • The core tenets of social conservatism, including the emphasis on traditional values and resistance to change, were central to shaping the broader political and social dynamics of the 'Transformation and Backlash' period. Social conservatives mobilized to oppose the progressive social and cultural changes that had occurred, seeking to preserve existing power structures, gender roles, and moral standards. This backlash manifested in the rise of conservative political movements, the election of Republican presidents, and the implementation of policies aimed at reinforcing traditional norms. The tension between the transformative social changes of the 1960s and 1970s and the social conservative desire to maintain the status quo was a defining feature of this period, with significant implications for the political, cultural, and social landscape of the United States.

Related terms

Traditional Values: The set of beliefs, customs, and practices that have been passed down through generations and are considered essential to the stability and well-being of a society.

Moral Traditionalism: The belief that moral and ethical standards should be based on long-standing cultural and religious traditions, rather than on progressive or liberal ideologies.

Resistance to Change: The tendency to oppose or resist social, cultural, and political changes that challenge or threaten existing societal structures and norms.