Progressive conservatism
Progressive conservatism is a political ideology which combines conservative and progressive policies. The initial origins of progressivism come from Western Europe during the 18th century and the Age of Enlightenment when it was believed that social reform and progression in areas such as science, economics, education, technology and medicine were necessary to improve human living conditions.[1]
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British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, a Tory, campaigned for the abolition of slavery. The Slave Trade Act of 1807 was passed a year after his death. During the 19th century, British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli helped to intellectually define that form of conservative politics under his one-nation conservative government.[2] Witnessing the negative impacts current working conditions had on people during the time, mainly brought about by the Industrial Revolution, Disraeli started to believe that changes to society were needed to improve human and environmental conditions. However, this progression needed to be done through conservative thinking and policies, namely that the government can do good and should get involved, but only when it is necessary and within its own means, being a limited but obligatory government.[3] The idea advocates that a social safety net is required, but only in a minimal form. Christian democracy and Catholic social teaching promotes some form of progressive conservatism, derived from the text of Rerum novarum.[4] Progressive conservatives also believe instant change is not always the best and can sometimes be damaging to society, therefore cautious change that fits in with the nation's social and political traditions is necessary.[5]
In the United States, Theodore Roosevelt has been the main figure identified with progressive conservatism as a political tradition. Roosevelt stated that he had "always believed that wise progressivism and wise conservatism go hand in hand".[6] In Britain, one-nation conservatives such as David Cameron who launched the Progressive Conservatism Project in 2009[7] and Theresa May have described themselves as progressive conservatives. Other European leaders such as Angela Merkel have been aligning themselves with progressive conservative politics.[8]
See also
- Bright Blue
- Christian democracy
- Conservative liberalism
- Green conservatism
- Compassionate conservatism
- Konrad Adenauer Foundation
- Liberal conservatism
- Neoclassical liberalism
- One-nation conservatism
- Paternalistic conservatism
- Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
- Radical centrism
- Red Tory
- Social market economy
- Tory Reform Group
- Bull Moose Party
References
- Mah, Harold (2003). Enlightenment Phantasies: Cultural Identity in France and Germany, 1750–1914. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University. p. 157. ISBN 9780801488955.
- Dunleavy, Patrick; Kelly, Paul Joseph; Moran, Michael (2000). British Political Science: Fifty Years of Political Studies. Oxford, England: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-0631224129.
- MacLean, Stephen (13 July 2010). "A Royal example for progressive Conservatism". TRG. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Sahliyeh, Emile F. (1990). Religious resurgence and politics in the contemporary world. Albany, New York: SUNY Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0791403822.
- Dwyer, Mike (10 September 2012). "What Progressive Conservatism Looks Like". Ordinary Times. Archived from the original on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Lurie, Jonathan (2012). William Howard Taft: The Travails of a Progressive Conservative. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cambridge University Press. p. 196. ISBN 978-0521514217.
- Letwin, Oliver. "How liberal is progressive Conservatism?". New Statesman. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Noack, Rick (30 June 2017). "Why Angela Merkel, known for embracing liberal values, voted against same-sex marriage". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2018.