Conservatism

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Conservatism
This paper discusses the meaning of Conservatism and it impacts on History, it also states the author's argument regarding historical change. Conservatism is a social and political philosophy that encourages and supports the adoption of minimal changes in the society; and roots for the most gradual change to a social setting. Conservatism prefers the upholding of the status quo so that there is stability and continuity; in addition, they oppose modernism (modern trends) and opt to maintain things as they are (Muller, 67).
Conservatism came into view to respond to the philosophy and social changes that were brought about by the French revolution which in turn resulted to industrial revolution. Thinkers such as Edmund Burke (1729 – 1797), Marie de Maistre (1753 – 1821), Prince Klemens Wenzel vom Metternich (1773 – 1859) and Louis Gabriel Ambroise and Vicomte de Bonald (1754 – 1840) have contributed a lot to the theory (Muller, 75). It mainly focused on the political issues revolving about change in the society with those opposing change and rooting for conservation of the norms remaining vigil to ensure their will was upheld. This included opposing the change in the constitution. The conservatives believe that the nation should inherit from history and not change in history or attempt to change it.
The leaders opposed the prejudice of the social morals, religions, and culture through maintaining the absolute principle. Joseph de Maistre argued that “the essence of fundamental law is that no one has the right to abolish it”. Conservatism considers the individual as the conclusion of politics and not as the premises; politics is designed to oppose the change of ethics of social justice to a modern equal society.
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