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| − | A '''conservative''' is one who adheres to principles of limited government, personal responsibility and moral virtue. He or she may agree with the statement in George Washington's [[Farewell Address]] that "religion and morality are indispensable supports" to political prosperity.<ref>[http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/49.htm United States Department of State] George Washington, farewell address, 1796</ref> Conservatism arose in the 19th century as a response to [[liberalism]], particularly as manifested in the [[French Revolution]]. | + | A BIG FAT IDIOT THAT MAKES A CRAPPY WEBSITE LIKE THIS!!! |
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| − | == Conservatives in the United States ==
| + | GO WIKIPEDIA!!! |
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| − | In the United States, conservatives are generally characterized by adherence to limited government, public morality and free enterprise. Specifically, conservatives tend to adhere to the following principles:
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| − | * A strong national defense
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| − | * Return of prayer in school
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| − | * The Second Amendment Right to Keep and Bear Arms
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| − | * Economic allocative efficiency (as opposed to popular equity)
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| − | * Stronger law enforcement and anti-crime laws, including the death penalty
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| − | * Parents, rather than school teachers, educating children about sex
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| − | * Choice in education
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| − | * Private medical care and retirement plans
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| − | * Weakening or cancellation of failed social support programs
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| − | * Prohibition of abortion
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| − | * Opposition to same-sex marriage licenses
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| − | About every 20-60 years a conservative has been elected president of the United States. Examples include:
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| − | <br>[[George Washington]]
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| − | <br>[[James Monroe]]
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| − | <br>[[James K. Polk]]
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| − | <br>[[Abraham Lincoln]]
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| − | <br>[[Grover Cleveland]]
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| − | <br>[[William Howard Taft]]
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| − | <br>[[Warren G. Harding]]
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| − | <br>[[Ronald Reagan]]
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| − | <br>[[George W. Bush]]
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| − | In America, most conservatives tend to align with the [[Republican Party]], but not exclusively so.
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| − | == Neoconservatives ==
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| − | American commentators who ally themselves with the conservative movement but reject its religious or moral underpinnings are generally known as [[neoconservatives]], and they offer their own amoral definition:<ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWMxNWNiNDJkY2JmNTExY2E1MzdkYWU3MWU1MTBiOGU= "What Is a 'Conservative'?"]Jonah Goldberg, [[National Review|National Review Online]], 11 May 2005</ref>
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| − | "In the United States, conservatives are generally characterized by the following beliefs:
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| − | # A deep suspicion of the power of the state.
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| − | # A preference for liberty over equality.
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| − | # Patriotism.
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| − | # A belief in established institutions and hierarchies.
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| − | # Skepticism about the idea of progress.
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| − | ==Conservatives in the United Kingdom==
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| − | In the United Kingdom the present parliamentary opposition party is called the [[Conservative Party]] and, as its name suggests, it holds traditional conservative views. Its current leader is [[David Cameron]]. In political policy the UK Conservatives are more closely aligned to the US Democrats, despite them being the most right of the main 3 parties.<ref>[http://www.conservatives.com Conservative party UK]</ref>
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| − | Up until the mid-19th century, the forerunners of the Conservatives were known as [[Tory|Tories]], and the name has persisted as a common nickname both for the political party and those believed to be in agreement with it.
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| − | There is generally a strong bias towards the nuclear family over other forms of cohabitation. Since the late 1970s, UK conservatives have been defined by an advocacy of [[Laissez-faire]] economics, privatization and lower taxation.<!-- Citations needed -->
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| − | Religion as a whole and biblical literalism in particular play only a very minor role in UK politics (arguably with the exception of Northern Ireland).
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| − | In common with conservatives in many other countries, UK Conservatives tend towards a [[Nationalist]] outlook, and are traditionally sceptical of the [[European Union]], although it was the Tory Prime Minister [[Edward Heath]] who took Britain into the [[EU|EEC]].
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| − | == References ==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | [[Category:Politics]]
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