1IDEOLOGY ESSAY Conservatism : An analysis Conservatism is a school of thought or a political ideology that promotes and propagates traditional value system in social structure, culture and tradition which includes the archaic concept of unequal distribution of wealth, patriarchal power structure where the males are the initiators and females are the receivers, racial prejudices and supremacy and anti-globalization as a concept of Puritanism and homogeneity in the society (Heywood, 2017). Conservatives are the group of people who are pro-establishment and who seek to be preserving a range of institutions, such as religion, patriarchy, property rights, parliamentary government, which, according to them, would be emphasizing social stability and continuity. They oppose “modernism” and adhere to the policy of “the way things are” (Feldman & Johnston, 2014). I find the most suitable variant of conservatism, which is neo-conservatism. Neo- conservatism is a political ideology of conservatism which combines the characteristics of traditional conservatism with political individualism with the blend of a qualified endorsement of free market. Neo-conservatives are seen to be typically advocating for the concept of democracy, traditionalism, authoritarianism, traditional gender roles, social order, traditional values, natural hierarchy and anti-globalization (Anderson, 2017). The neo conservatives can be roughly termed as the conservatives of the contemporary arena who adhere to the traditional role of social order but endorse free market which has become an economic fashion in the modern contemporary world. Neo conservatism was a political movement that happened in the United States during the year 1960s among the group of people called liberal hawks who were dissatisfied with the pacifist foreign policy of the Democratic Party of America (Viereck, 2017). Apart from that, the new left counterculture that was arising within the American society after the Vietnam protests also stimulated them for adhering to Neo-conservatism. Neo-conservatives, no matter what
2IDEOLOGY ESSAY branch they belong to, have certain common enemies, which include leftist liberalism, moral relativism and anti-Americanism. I am convinced with the neo-conservative ideology because even though it is conservative in its attitude providing little or no flexibility in all round development of a nation, however, it advocates for democracy and free market, which are important factors for an egalitarian society in terms of social and economic justice (Dorrien, 2013). Democracy ensures participation of all the citizens no matter what designation they have, providing power and sovereignty to them, whereas, free market provides lassies faire market that gives opportunity to every individual to be economically sound and prosperous according to his/her ability. Therefore, the concept of neo-conservatism is credible. As I am a woman coming from a conservative national and family background, I had been able to pursue my dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, which is a less visited area among the women. Even though the nation where I belong to have neo-conservative ideologies which somehow restricts the freedom and rights of women, I had received the opportunity to start a business by myself completely privately, which would operate under my jurisdiction. I have been continuing with my business successfully and I have also been given a chance to vote for the respective eligible government, which enhanced my integrity. As I am an entrepreneur now, I have been economically and socially empowered. I have been provided with the basic civil rights and power I deserve with the help of the flexibility of contemporary neo-conservative ideology. I have been provided with a monthly income which has made me economically independent and powerful as a woman in the patriarchal society.
3IDEOLOGY ESSAY References: Anderson, P. (2017). Neocon Bond: The Cultural Politics of Skyfall.Quarterly Review of Film and Video,34(1), 66-92. Dorrien, G. (2013).Imperial Designs: Neoconservatism and the New Pax Americana. Routledge. Feldman, S. & Johnston, C., (2014). Understanding the determinants of political ideology: Implications of structural complexity.Political Psychology,35(3), pp.337-358. Heywood, A. (2017).Political ideologies: An introduction. Macmillan International Higher Education. Viereck, P. (2017).Conservatism revisited: the revolt against ideology. Routledge.