Changes

==List of prominent conservatives==

==List of prominent conservatives==

===Movement===

===Movement===

[[Movement conservatives]] are those who accept the logic of conservatism across-the-board, and stand up for its powerful principles despite [[liberal]] ridicule. Movement conservative activists in the U.S. include:

[[Movement conservatives]] are those who accept the logic of conservatism across-the-board, and stand up for its powerful principles despite [[liberal]] ridicule. Movement conservative activists in the U.S. include:

*[[Phyllis Schlafly]], defeated the [[ERA]]

* [[Phyllis Schlafly]], defeated the [[ERA]]

*[[Larry McDonald]], Congressman, on board [[KAL 007]] when shot down by the Soviets near [[Moneron Island]].

* [[Larry McDonald]], Congressman, on board [[KAL 007]] when shot down by the Soviets near [[Moneron Island]].

*[[Jesse Helms]], Senator, specialist in foreign policy

* [[Jesse Helms]], Senator, specialist in foreign policy

*[[Alan Keyes]], ambassador and commentator

* [[Alan Keyes]], ambassador and commentator

*[[Jim Jordan]], [[Thomas Massie]], [[Steve King]], [[Tom Tancredo]], and [[Dave Brat]], Congressmen

* [[Jim Jordan]], [[Thomas Massie]], [[Steve King]], [[Tom Tancredo]], and [[Dave Brat]], Congressmen

*[[Pat Buchanan]], commentator and presidential candidate

* [[Pat Buchanan]], commentator and presidential candidate

*[[Thomas Sowell]], economist and commentator

* [[Thomas Sowell]], economist and commentator

*[[Jerry Falwell]], religion

* [[Jerry Falwell]], religion

*[[Tucker Carlson]], commentator

* [[Tucker Carlson]], commentator

*[[Ann Coulter]], commentator

* [[Ann Coulter]], commentator

*[[Michelle Malkin]], blogger and columnist

* [[Michelle Malkin]], blogger and columnist

*[[Roy Moore]], judge

* [[Roy Moore]], judge

*[[Rand Paul]], Senator

* [[Rand Paul]], Senator

*[[Josh Hawley]], Senator

* [[Josh Hawley]], Senator

*[[Kris Kobach]], state official

* [[Kris Kobach]], state official

*[[Michele Bachmann]], Congresswoman

* [[Michele Bachmann]], Congresswoman

*[[Ron DeSantis]], Governor of Florida

* [[Ron DeSantis]], Governor of Florida

*[[George S. Patton]], Four-Star WWII General

* [[George S. Patton]], Four-Star WWII General

===Presidents===

===Presidents===

Periodically, a conservative has been elected [[President of the United States of America|President of the United States]]. The most prominent conservative presidents include:

Periodically, a conservative has been elected [[President of the United States of America|President of the United States]]. The most prominent conservative presidents include:

*[[George Washington]] (1789–1797)

* [[George Washington]] (1789–1797)

*[[James Monroe]] (1817–1825)

* [[James Monroe]] (1817–1825)

*[[Grover Cleveland]] (1885–1889, 1893–1897)  

* [[Grover Cleveland]] (1885–1889, 1893–1897)  

*[[Warren G. Harding]] (1921–1923)

* [[Warren G. Harding]] (1921–1923)

*[[Calvin Coolidge]] (1923–1929)

* [[Calvin Coolidge]] (1923–1929)

*[[Dwight D Eisenhower]] (1953–1961)

* [[Dwight D Eisenhower]] (1953–1961)

*[[Ronald Reagan]] (1981–1989)

* [[Ronald Reagan]] (1981–1989)

*[[Donald Trump]] (2017–2021, 2025-)

* [[Donald Trump]] (2017–2021, 2025–)

The most prominent conservative Congresses have been:

The most prominent conservative Congresses have been:

*The 80th Congress (elected in 1946)

* The 80th Congress (elected in 1946)

*The 104th Congress (elected in 1994)

* The 104th Congress (elected in 1994)

===Key leaders===

===Key leaders===

*[[Robert Taft]] — U.S. Senator, leader of the [[Conservative Coalition]], and unsuccessful 1948 presidential candidate

* [[Robert Taft]] — U.S. Senator, leader of the [[Conservative Coalition]], and unsuccessful 1948 presidential candidate

*[[Barry Goldwater]] — 1964 Republican candidate, lost to liberal Democrat [[Lyndon Johnson]] but revived the conservative movement inside the GOP

* [[Barry Goldwater]] — 1964 Republican candidate, lost to liberal Democrat [[Lyndon Johnson]] but revived the conservative movement inside the GOP

*[[Russell Kirk]] — Theorist & intellectual

* [[Russell Kirk]] — Theorist & intellectual

*[[Robert Bork]] — legal scholar, government official, and unsuccessful Supreme Court nominee

* [[Robert Bork]] — legal scholar, government official, and unsuccessful Supreme Court nominee

*[[Margaret Thatcher]] — British prime minister between 1979 and 1990, held views similar to Reagan's

* [[Margaret Thatcher]] — British prime minister between 1979 and 1990; held views similar to Reagan's

*[[Milton Friedman]] — Chicago-school [[libertarian]] [[economist]], influential during Reagan administration; leader of the [[Chicago School of Economics]]

* [[Milton Friedman]] — Chicago-school [[libertarian]] [[economist]], influential during Reagan administration; leader of the [[Chicago School of Economics]]

*[[Clarence Thomas]] — Supreme Court justice

* [[Clarence Thomas]] — Supreme Court justice

*[[James C. Ho]] — Federal judge, thought leader for judicial originalism

* [[James C. Ho]] — Federal judge, thought leader for judicial originalism

===Hall of Fame===

===Hall of Fame===

[Note: "Liberal" and "conservative" in this survey are based on politics]

[Note: "Liberal" and "conservative" in this survey are based on politics]

Liberals are also far less likely than conservatives to strongly believe each of the following:*their religious faith is very important in their life (54% of liberals vs. 82% of conservatives);

Liberals are also far less likely than conservatives to strongly believe each of the following:

*their religious faith is very important in their life (54% of liberals vs. 82% of conservatives);

*a person cannot earn their way into [[Heaven]] by doing good deeds or being a good person (23% vs. 37%);

*a person cannot earn their way into [[Heaven]] by doing good deeds or being a good person (23% vs. 37%);

*their faith is becoming an increasingly important moral guide in their life (38% vs. 70%);

*their faith is becoming an increasingly important moral guide in their life (38% vs. 70%);

=== Conservative magazines and blogs ===

=== Conservative magazines and blogs ===

{{See also|Conservative media}}

{{See also|Conservative media}}

Well known conservative magazines in the United States include ''[[National Review]]'', ''[[Policy Review]]'', ''[[Revolver News]]'' and others.

Well-known conservative magazines in the United States include ''[[National Review]]'', ''[[Policy Review]]'', ''[[Revolver News]]'' and others.

Some notable [[Conservative blogs|conservative political blogs]] include the [[Heritage Foundation]]'s Policy Weblog, ''[[Human Events]]'', [[Michelle Malkin]], Newsbusters, Townhall.com and others.

Some notable [[Conservative blogs|conservative political blogs]] include the [[Heritage Foundation]]'s Policy Weblog, ''[[Human Events]]'', [[Michelle Malkin]], Newsbusters, Townhall.com and others.

Recently, a division has been created between fiscal conservatism and social conservatism. Fiscal conservatism centers around a low and [[Balanced budget|balanced]] government [[budget]], and generally is opposed to programs such as [[Social Security]] and [[Medicare]]. Its primary goal is to reduce government spending significantly. Social Conservatism, on the other hand, focuses on the moral issues of conservatism. A social conservative will oppose [[same-sex marriage]], [[abortion]], and the teaching of [[evolution]] in schools. The majority of conservatives (including most of the [[Republican Party]]) fall into both categories; however, some fall into one or the other, but not both. Notably, [[Libertarians]] are strong fiscal conservatives but are not socially conservative. For instance, the [[Libertarian Party]] Platform<ref>[http://www.lp.org/platform]</ref> expresses support for the fiscally conservative principles of ending publicly funded [[welfare]] and [[healthcare]] programs as well as reducing government spending overall significantly. However, it also expresses support for [[same-sex marriage]] (with some libertarians leaning towards the ultimate goal of total [[marriage privatization]]) as well as maintaining the legal status of abortion.

Recently, a division has been created between fiscal conservatism and social conservatism. Fiscal conservatism centers around a low and [[Balanced budget|balanced]] government [[budget]], and generally is opposed to programs such as [[Social Security]] and [[Medicare]]. Its primary goal is to reduce government spending significantly. Social Conservatism, on the other hand, focuses on the moral issues of conservatism. A social conservative will oppose [[same-sex marriage]], [[abortion]], and the teaching of [[evolution]] in schools. The majority of conservatives (including most of the [[Republican Party]]) fall into both categories; however, some fall into one or the other, but not both. Notably, [[Libertarians]] are strong fiscal conservatives but are not socially conservative. For instance, the [[Libertarian Party]] Platform<ref>[http://www.lp.org/platform]</ref> expresses support for the fiscally conservative principles of ending publicly funded [[welfare]] and [[healthcare]] programs as well as reducing government spending overall significantly. However, it also expresses support for [[same-sex marriage]] (with some libertarians leaning towards the ultimate goal of total [[marriage privatization]]) as well as maintaining the legal status of abortion.

Some Republicans and [[Democrat Party|Democrats]] also fit one category but not the other. Former [[New Mexico]] governor [[Gary Johnson]], who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, was deemed "the most fiscally conservative governor" while he was in office (and probably earned that honor given all the spending cuts he made) but at the same time, he supports [[marriage privatization]] and [[abortion]] (though he believes ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' should be overturned on Constitutional grounds). Also, several Democrats have expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and/or abortion, but still support liberal fiscal programs such as Social Security. They would be the opposite of Johnson - socially conservative but fiscally liberal.

Some Republicans and [[Democrat Party|Democrats]] also fit one category but not the other. Former [[New Mexico]] governor [[Gary Johnson]], who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, was deemed "the most fiscally conservative governor" while he was in office (and probably earned that honor given all the spending cuts he made), but at the same time, he supports [[marriage privatization]] and [[abortion]] (though he believes ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' should be overturned on Constitutional grounds). Also, several Democrats have expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and/or abortion, but still support liberal fiscal programs such as Social Security. They would be the opposite of Johnson - socially conservative but fiscally liberal.

=== Expected growth of social conservatism and religious conservatism ===

=== Expected growth of social conservatism and religious conservatism ===

=== Textbook problems ===

=== Textbook problems ===

{{See also|Textbook bias}}

{{See also|Textbook bias}}

College-level teaching about conservatism has been distorted by a "liberal state paradigm"—that is, [[textbook]]s usually interpret recent American history in terms of the origins and successes of political liberalism—especially the [[New Deal]], the [[welfare state]], [[labor union]]s, and [[Civil Rights Movement|Civil Rights]] for blacks and [[equality]] for women. Conservative politics is usually defined as a reaction: as a [[free market]] reply to the growth of [[big government]]; as an expression of outrage against declining support for tradition and Christian morality. Where the violent Wobblies ([[Industrial Workers of the World|IWW]]) and illegal sit down strikes of the 1930s are seen as heroic, exposing [[Communist]] subversion by [[Joe McCarthy]] is denounced as the nadir of political morality.<ref>See Leonard Moore, "Approaching Conservatism," ''OAH Magazine of History,'' 17 (January 2003) [http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/conservatism/moore.html online edition]</ref>

College-level teaching about conservatism has been distorted by a "liberal state paradigm"—that is, [[textbook]]s usually interpret recent American history in terms of the origins and successes of political liberalism—especially the [[New Deal]], the [[welfare state]], [[labor union]]s, and [[Civil Rights Movement|Civil Rights]] for blacks and [[equality]] for women. Conservative politics is usually defined as a reaction: as a [[free market]] reply to the growth of [[big government]]; as an expression of outrage against declining support for tradition and Christian morality. Where the violent Wobblies ([[Industrial Workers of the World|IWW]]) and illegal sit-down strikes of the 1930s are seen as heroic, exposing [[Communist]] subversion by [[Joe McCarthy]] is denounced as the nadir of political morality.<ref>See Leonard Moore, "Approaching Conservatism," ''OAH Magazine of History,'' 17 (January 2003) [http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/conservatism/moore.html online edition]</ref>

=== Loyalists ===

=== Loyalists ===

The [[Loyalists]] of the [[American Revolution]] were mostly political conservatives, some of whom produced political discourse of a high order, including lawyer [[Joseph Galloway]] and governor-historian [[Thomas Hutchinson]]. However, when the crisis came, they stood with the Crown as it tried to destroy American political liberties. After the war, the great majority remained in the U.S. and became citizens, but some leaders emigrated to other places in the British Empire. [[Samuel Seabury]] was a Loyalist who stayed and as the first American bishop played a major role in shaping the [[Episcopal]] religion, a stronghold of conservative social values. While the Loyalist political tradition died out totally in the U.S., it survives in Canadian conservatism.

The [[Loyalists]] of the [[American Revolution]] were mostly political conservatives, some of whom produced political discourse of a high order, including lawyer [[Joseph Galloway]] and governor-historian [[Thomas Hutchinson]]. However, when the crisis came, they stood with the Crown as it tried to destroy American political liberties. After the war, the great majority remained in the U.S. and became citizens, but some leaders emigrated to other places in the British Empire. [[Samuel Seabury]] was a Loyalist who stayed, and as the first American bishop played a major role in shaping the [[Episcopal]] religion, a stronghold of conservative social values. While the Loyalist political tradition died out totally in the U.S., it survives in Canadian conservatism.

=== Founding Fathers ===

=== Founding Fathers ===

The [[Founding Fathers]] created the single most important set of political ideas in American history, known as [[Republicanism]], which all groups, liberal and conservative alike, have drawn from. Two parties were named "Republican"—the one founded in 1794 by [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]] (it disappeared in the 1820s), and the modern GOP founded in 1854. During the [[First Party System]] (1790s–1820s) the [[Federalist Party]], led by [[Alexander Hamilton]], developed an important variation of republicanism that can be considered conservative. Rejecting [[monarchy]] and [[aristocracy]], they emphasized civic virtue as the core American value. The Federalists spoke for the propertied interests and the upper classes of the cities. They envisioned a modernizing land of banks and factories, with a strong army and navy. [[George Washington]] was their great hero.

The [[Founding Fathers]] created the single most important set of political ideas in American history, known as [[Republicanism]], which all groups, liberal and conservative alike, have drawn from. Two parties were named "Republican"—the one founded in 1794 by [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]] (it disappeared in the 1820s), and the modern GOP founded in 1854. During the [[First Party System]] (1790s–1820s), the [[Federalist Party]], led by [[Alexander Hamilton]], developed an important variation of republicanism that can be considered conservative. Rejecting [[monarchy]] and [[aristocracy]], they emphasized civic virtue as the core American value. The Federalists spoke for the propertied interests and the upper classes of the cities. They envisioned a modernizing land of banks and factories, with a strong army and navy. [[George Washington]] was their great hero.

On many issues, American conservatism also derives from the republicanism of [[Thomas Jefferson]] and his followers, especially [[John Randolph of Roanoke]] and his "Old Republicans" or "[[Quids]]." They idealized the [[yeoman]] farmer as the epitome of civic virtue, and warned that banking and industry led to [[corruption]], that is to the illegitimate use of government power for private ends. Jefferson himself was a vehement opponent of what today is called [[judicial activism]].

On many issues, American conservatism also derives from the republicanism of [[Thomas Jefferson]] and his followers, especially [[John Randolph of Roanoke]] and his "Old Republicans" or "[[Quids]]." They idealized the [[yeoman]] farmer as the epitome of civic virtue, and warned that banking and industry led to [[corruption]], that is, to the illegitimate use of government power for private ends. Jefferson himself was a vehement opponent of what today is called [[judicial activism]].

<ref>[http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff1030.htm]</ref> The Jeffersonians stressed small government.

<ref>[http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff1030.htm]</ref> The Jeffersonians stressed small government.

The 1896 presidential election was the first with a conservative versus liberal theme in the way in which these terms are now understood. Republican [[William McKinley]] won using the pro-business slogan "[[sound money]] and protection," while Bryan's anti-bank populism had a lasting effect on economic policies of the Democrat Party.

The 1896 presidential election was the first with a conservative versus liberal theme in the way in which these terms are now understood. Republican [[William McKinley]] won using the pro-business slogan "[[sound money]] and protection," while Bryan's anti-bank populism had a lasting effect on economic policies of the Democrat Party.

[[William Graham Sumner]], [[Yale University|Yale]] professor (1872–1910) and polymath, vigorously promoted a libertarian conservative ethic. After dallying with [[Social Darwinism]] under the influence of [[Herbert Spencer]], he rejected [[evolution]] in his later works, and strongly opposed imperialism. He opposed monopoly and [[paternalism]] in theory as a threat to equality, democracy and middle-class values, but was vague on what to do about it.<ref>Curtis, Bruce. "William Graham Sumner 'On the Concentration of Wealth.'" Journal of American History 1969 55(4): 823-832.</ref>

[[William Graham Sumner]], [[Yale University|Yale]] professor (1872–1910) and polymath, vigorously promoted a libertarian conservative ethic. After dallying with [[Social Darwinism]] under the influence of [[Herbert Spencer]], he rejected [[evolution]] in his later works, and strongly opposed imperialism. He opposed monopoly and [[paternalism]] in theory as a threat to equality, democracy and middle-class values, but was vague on what to do about.<ref>Curtis, Bruce. "William Graham Sumner 'On the Concentration of Wealth.'" Journal of American History 1969 55(4): 823-832.</ref>

===Early 20th century===

===Early 20th century===

By 1950, [[American liberalism]] was so dominant in academia and journalism that liberal critic [[Lionel Trilling]] dismissed contemporary conservatism and anti-communism as "irritable mental gestures which seek to resemble ideas."<ref>Lapham 2004</ref> But just as Trilling was writing, a revival was underway. In the 1950s, principles for a conservative political movement were hashed out in books like [[Russell Kirk]]'s ''The Conservative Mind'' (1953) and in the highly influential new magazine ''[[National Review]]'', founded by [[William F. Buckley]] in 1955.

By 1950, [[American liberalism]] was so dominant in academia and journalism that liberal critic [[Lionel Trilling]] dismissed contemporary conservatism and anti-communism as "irritable mental gestures which seek to resemble ideas."<ref>Lapham 2004</ref> But just as Trilling was writing, a revival was underway. In the 1950s, principles for a conservative political movement were hashed out in books like [[Russell Kirk]]'s ''The Conservative Mind'' (1953) and in the highly influential new magazine ''[[National Review]]'', founded by [[William F. Buckley]] in 1955.

Whereas Taft's [[Old Right]] had been [[isolationist]] the new conservatism favored American intervention overseas to oppose [[Communism]]. It looked to the [[Founding Fathers]] for historical inspiration as opposed to [[John C. Calhoun|Calhoun]] and the antebellum South. The success of the [[Civil Rights movement]] came in the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the [[bi-partisan]] [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]] and the [[Voting Rights Act]] of 1965. Conservatives supported all, but [[Barry Goldwater]] bucked party leadership to win a few Southern states for the first time since Reconstruction.  Until then Southern whites (both liberal and conservative) had been locked into the Democratic Party. That lock was now broken and some Southern conservatives voted for Goldwater for president in 1964.  In 1968, Southern Democrats ran their own candidate against Richard Nixon. The Southern blacks now began to vote in large numbers, and buoyed by [[Great Society]] [[entitlement]]s became Democrats, moving that party in the South to the left. In 1972, fully one-third of all Democrats joined Richard Nixon's Silent Majority coalition against the far left progressive Democrats. Democrats shifted their strategy to nominating Southerners for president, Jimmy Carter in 1976, Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996, and Al Gore in 2000. As the South became less racist, it became more Republican. By 2000, for the first time, all Southern states had a conservative GOP and a liberal Democratic Party.  The region split in both federal and state contests.  In 2008 the [[Barack Hussein Obama|Obama]] campaign rebuilt the Clinton coalition in [[Florida]], [[Virginia]] and [[North Carolina]].  

Whereas Taft's [[Old Right]] had been [[isolationist]] the new conservatism favored American intervention overseas to oppose [[Communism]]. It looked to the [[Founding Fathers]] for historical inspiration as opposed to [[John C. Calhoun|Calhoun]] and the antebellum South. The success of the [[Civil Rights movement]] came in the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the [[bi-partisan]] [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]] and the [[Voting Rights Act]] of 1965. Conservatives supported all, but [[Barry Goldwater]] bucked party leadership to win a few Southern states for the first time since Reconstruction.  Until then, Southern whites (both liberal and conservative) had been locked into the Democratic Party. That lock was now broken and some Southern conservatives voted for Goldwater for president in 1964.  In 1968, Southern Democrats ran their own candidate against Richard Nixon. The Southern blacks now began to vote in large numbers, and buoyed by [[Great Society]] [[entitlement]]s became Democrats, moving that party in the South to the left. In 1972, fully one-third of all Democrats joined Richard Nixon's Silent Majority coalition against the far left progressive Democrats. Democrats shifted their strategy to nominating Southerners for president, Jimmy Carter in 1976, Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996, and Al Gore in 2000. As the South became less racist, it became more Republican. By 2000, for the first time, all Southern states had a conservative GOP and a liberal Democratic Party.  The region split in both federal and state contests.  In 2008, the [[Barack Hussein Obama|Obama]] campaign rebuilt the Clinton coalition in [[Florida]], [[Virginia]] and [[North Carolina]].  

Goldwater, a charismatic figure whose intense opposition to all [[New Deal]] programs angered liberals, was defeated in a landslide in 1964. Goldwater faded and his supporters regrouped under new leadership, especially that of [[Ronald Reagan]] in [[California]], and regained strength nationally in the 1966 elections. Conservatives voted for [[Richard Nixon]] in 1968, who narrowly defeated the New Deal champion [[Hubert Humphrey]], and southern demagogue [[George Wallace]]. Nixon had come to terms with both the Goldwater wing of the party and the still-influential Rockefeller Republicans (Republicans from the [[Northeast]] who supported many New Deal programs).

Goldwater, a charismatic figure whose intense opposition to all [[New Deal]] programs angered liberals, was defeated in a landslide in 1964. Goldwater faded, and his supporters regrouped under new leadership, especially that of [[Ronald Reagan]] in [[California]], and regained strength nationally in the 1966 elections. Conservatives voted for [[Richard Nixon]] in 1968, who narrowly defeated the New Deal champion [[Hubert Humphrey]], and southern demagogue [[George Wallace]]. Nixon had come to terms with both the Goldwater wing of the party and the still-influential Rockefeller Republicans (Republicans from the [[Northeast]] who supported many New Deal programs).

===Nixon, Reagan, and Bush===

===Nixon, Reagan, and Bush===

===Donald Trump===

===Donald Trump===

{{See also|Donald Trump achievements}}

{{See also|Donald Trump achievements}}

Despite heavy opposition from the political [[establishment]], businessman [[Donald Trump]] defeated sixteen other candidates in the Republican primaries and defeated the heavy favorite in the general election, Hillary Clinton. As president, Trump enacted strongly conservative policies in issues such as deregulation, trade, immigration, religious freedom, abortion, and judges.

Despite heavy opposition from the political [[establishment]], businessman [[Donald Trump]] defeated sixteen other candidates in the Republican primaries and defeated the heavy favorite in the general election, Hillary Clinton. As president, Trump enacted strongly conservative policies on issues such as deregulation, trade, immigration, religious freedom, abortion, and judges.

=== Fertility rates of conservatives vs. liberals in the United States. The conservative fertility advantage probably will not give conservatives an inevitable long-term political edge ===

=== Fertility rates of conservatives vs. liberals in the United States. The conservative fertility advantage probably will not give conservatives an inevitable long-term political edge ===

== Further reading ==

== Further reading ==

*  Critchlow, Donald T. ''The Conservative Ascendancy: How the GOP Right Made Political History'' (2007)  

*  Critchlow, Donald T. ''The Conservative Ascendancy: How the GOP Right Made Political History'' (2007)  

* Filler, Louis. ''Dictionary of American Conservatism The First Complete Guide to Issues, People, Organizations and Events'' (1987), a useful older encyclopedia

* Filler, Louis. ''Dictionary of American Conservatism: The First Complete Guide to Issues, People, Organizations and Events'' (1987), a useful older encyclopedia

* Frank, Thomas. ''What's the Matter with Kansas?: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America'' (2005), a liberal perspective [https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Matter-Kansas-Conservatives-America/dp/080507774X/ref=sr_1_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193685789&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Frank, Thomas. ''What's the Matter with Kansas?: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America'' (2005), a liberal perspective [https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Matter-Kansas-Conservatives-America/dp/080507774X/ref=sr_1_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193685789&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Frohnen, Bruce et al. eds. ''American Conservatism: An Encyclopedia'' (2006), the most detailed reference

* Frohnen, Bruce et al. eds. ''American Conservatism: An Encyclopedia'' (2006), the most detailed reference

* Judis, John B. ''William F. Buckley, Jr.: Patron Saint of the Conservatives'' (1988) [https://www.amazon.com/William-F-Buckley-Jr-Conservatives/dp/0743217977/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207759425&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

* Judis, John B. ''William F. Buckley, Jr.: Patron Saint of the Conservatives'' (1988) [https://www.amazon.com/William-F-Buckley-Jr-Conservatives/dp/0743217977/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207759425&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

* Kirk, Russell. ''The Conservative Mind''. (7th ed. 2001). Highly influential conservative history of ideas [http://www.historyebook.org/ online at ACLS e-books]

* Kirk, Russell. ''The Conservative Mind'' (7th ed. 2001). Highly influential conservative history of ideas [http://www.historyebook.org/ online at ACLS e-books]

* Link, William A. ''Righteous warrior: Jesse Helms and the rise of modern conservatism'' (2008) 643 pages  

* Link, William A. ''Righteous warrior: Jesse Helms and the rise of modern conservatism'' (2008) 643 pages  

* Micklethwait, John, and Adrian Wooldridge. ''The Right Nation,'' (2004) influential survey [https://www.amazon.com/Right-Nation-Conservative-Power-America/dp/B000F71124/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205919226&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Micklethwait, John, and Adrian Wooldridge. ''The Right Nation'' (2004), influential survey [https://www.amazon.com/Right-Nation-Conservative-Power-America/dp/B000F71124/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205919226&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Micklethwait, John, and Adrian Wooldridge. ''God Is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith Is Changing the World'' (2009)

* Micklethwait, John, and Adrian Wooldridge. ''God Is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith Is Changing the World'' (2009)

* Nash, George. ''The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America Since 1945'' (2006), excellent scholarly history. [https://www.amazon.com/Conservative-Intellectual-Movement-America-Since/dp/1933859121/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241925238&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]

* Nash, George. ''The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America Since 1945'' (2006), excellent scholarly history. [https://www.amazon.com/Conservative-Intellectual-Movement-America-Since/dp/1933859121/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241925238&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]