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] The first
progressive conservatives were the Girondists, whose leader, Jacques Pierre Brissot, was a staunch abolitionist.
However, he died during The Terror of the French Revolution before having a chance to enact emancipation
laws. It wasn't until several years later that his dream of universal emancipation approached reality, although in
a different country.

William Pitt the Younger, the progressive conservative Prime Minister of Britain, campaigned for abolition.
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 this 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
conservatism politics.[8]

See also
Bright Blue One-nation
Christian conservatism
democracy Paternalistic
Conservative conservatism
liberalism Progressive
Green Conservative Party of
conservatism Canada
Compassionate Radical centrism
conservatism Red Tory
Konrad Adenauer Social market
Foundation economy
Liberal Tory Reform Group
conservatism
 Neoclassical
liberalism

References
1. "What is progressivism?" (https://www.gotquestions.org/progressivism.html). Got Questions.
Retrieved 4 June 2018.
2. Patrick Dunleavy, Paul Joseph Kelly, Michael Moran. British Political Science: Fifty Years of
Political Studies. Oxford, England, UK; Malden, Massachusetts, USA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2000.
Pp. 107–108.
3. MacLean, Stephen (13 July 2010). "A Royal example for progressive Conservatism" (https://ww
w.trg.org.uk/a-royal-example-for-progressive-conservatism/). TRG. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
4. Emile F. Sahliyeh. Religious resurgence and politics in the contemporary world. Albany, New
York, USA: State University of New York Press, 1990. Pp. 185
5. Dwyer, Mike (10 September 2012). "What Progressive Conservatism Looks Like" (http://ordinar
y-gentlemen.com/2012/09/10/what-a-progressive-conservatism-looks-like/). Ordinary Times.
Retrieved 4 June 2018.
6. Lurie, Jonathan. "William Howard Taft: The Travails of a Progressive Conservative. New York,
New York, USA: Cambridge University Press, 2012": pg 196. |page(s)= has extra text (help)
7. Letwin, Oliver. "How liberal is progressive Conservatism?" (https://www.newstatesman.com/uk-
politics/2009/02/progressive-conservatism). New Statesman. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
8. Noack, Rick (30 June 2017). "Why Angela Merkel, known for embracing liberal values, voted
against same-sex marriage" (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/06/3
0/why-angela-merkel-known-for-embracing-liberal-values-voted-against-same-sex-marriage/).
Washington Post. Retrieved 4 June 2018.

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This page was last edited on 7 January 2021, at 02:03 (UTC).

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