Liberal conservatism

Liberal conservatism is a political ideology which is classified under conservatism. The Irish politician Edmund Burke (1729–1797) is normally held to be the father of liberal conservatism.

A liberal conservative will likely support gun control, abortion and equal rights for homosexuals, but oppose embryonic stem cell research and death penality. This, of course, varies a bit.

After Burke's death, groups without liberal ideals began to call themselves conservative. Opposing the French Revolution was a thing they had in common with Burke, but was often groups from the existing overclass/nobility, who wanted to secure their positions and the current political system, which gave them large benefits. Rivalizations between those and the liberal conservatives have affected conservative parties in Europe from the 19th century to large parts of the 20th century.

In our days, conservatism is much looked at as an ideology just for conserve. The liberal conservatives are, on the contrary, optimists when looking at the future, and follows the more or less paradoxical phrase "conserve, to change".

Central ideals of liberal conservatism

Main:

• Base progress on sucessful solutions and traditions from the past, and change what have to get new solutions.

Central:

• The individual human's freedom.
• Capitalism and a free economy/market.
• Small but effective government.
• Personal responsibility for life and future.
• Right of property

Political parties

Most conservative political parties in Northern Europe today, are liberal conservative. This includes the British Tories, and the conservative parties of the Scandinavian countries. Other parties that stands close to those are CDU in Germany, and UMP in France.