CONSERVATISM


Meaning of CONSERVATISM in English

kənˈsərvəd.ˌizəm, -sə̄v-, -səiv-, -vəˌtiz- noun

( -s )

Etymology: conservat ive + -ism

1.

a. : the disposition in politics to preserve what is established

twentieth century politics of New Jersey has continued to be dominated … by the natural conservatism of the industrial and business interests — American Guide Series: New Jersey

b. : a political philosophy based on a strong sense of tradition and social stability, stressing the importance of established institutions (as religion, property, the family, and class structure), and preferring gradual development with preservation of the best elements of the past to abrupt change

political conservatism in the United States … has become identified with the business interests — Francis Biddle

2. usually capitalized

a. : the principles and policies of the Conservative party in the United Kingdom

the fundamental and distinct tenets of Conservatism — R.A.Butler

b. : the Conservative party or its members

whether Conservatism enjoys a long tenure of office — L.D.Epstein

3.

a. : the tendency to accept an existing fact, order, situation, or phenomenon and to be cautious toward or suspicious of change : extreme wariness and caution in outlook

acquired conservatism which normally increases with increasing age and sagacity — H.G.Armstrong

conservatism in banking practices

conservatism in interpreting data

b. : strong resistance to innovation : relative freedom from change

the conservatism of the area … has helped to preserve the evidences of its past — R.W.Southern

specifically : the tendency of certain plants or animal groups (as the brachiopods) to remain narrowly adapted to a particular environment and undergo minimal evolutionary change or differentiation

4. : conservative judaism

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.