A conservative is one who adheres to principles of limited government, personal responsibility and moral virtue. He agrees with the statement in George Washington's Farewell Address that "religion and morality are indispensable supports" to political prosperity.[1] Conservatism arose in the 19th century as a response to liberalism, particularly as manifested in the French Revolution.
A conservative relies more on the application of reason rather than personal whim. Conservatives oppose collectivism and emphasize equal opportunity rather than equal results. Conservatives support a complete right of self-defense both on an individual level and for our nation as a whole.
In the United States, conservatives are generally characterized by the following beliefs:
- National defense and high military spending
- Return of prayer in school
- Stronger protection of 2nd Amendment rights (weaker gun control laws)
- Economic allocative efficiency (as opposed to popular equity)
- Stronger law enforcement and anti-crime laws, including the death penalty
- Prevention of teaching sexual education, evolution, global warming, and other controversial issues in public schools
- Abandonment of public schools in favor of private, particularly using tuition vouchers
- Private medical care and retirement plans
- Strong, unilateral foreign policy
- Weakening or cancellation of failed social support programs
- Government restrictions on same-sex marriage and abortion
Many conservatives hold a strong libertarian conviction in the belief that the state should not interfere with the economy, gun control, and the redistribution of wealth.
About every 20-60 years, a conservative has been elected president of the United States. Examples include:
George Washington
James Monroe
Abraham Lincoln
Grover Cleveland
Warren G. Harding
Ronald Reagan
In America, most conservatives tend to align with the Republican Party or the Libertarian Party.
In the United Kingdom the present parlimentary opposition party is called the Conservative party [1]and as it's name suggests hold traditional conservative views. It's current leader is David Cameron