Classical liberal —DO—

minimal government intervention in the economy

Liberal conservatism

Liberal conservatism incorporates the classical liberal view of minimal government intervention in the economy. Individuals cannot be thoroughly depended on to act responsibly in spheres other than economic self-interest, so we need (1) a strong state to ensure law and order, and (2) social institutions that create a sense of duty and responsibility to the nation

old version: combination of economic liberalism (laissez-faire markets) with the classical conservatism concern for established tradition, respect for authority, and religious values

new version: after free market capitalism became the norm, the term liberal conservatism was replaced with conservatism. In such places (like the US) the tradition is economic liberalism.

European version: Liberal conservatism combines the (now conservative) embrace of free market economics and belief in individual responsibility with social liberal embrace of civil rights, environmentalism, and a (limited) welfare state.

Conservative liberalism

(Europe) Conservative liberalism is a variant of liberalism. It conditions economic liberalism with socially and ethically conservative stances. Same a right-wring liberalism. The ruling politics in Europe (Germany and Italy) before the wars was CL. Called neoconservatism in the US.

Libertarian conservatism

Libertarian conservatism differs from paleoconservatism by favoring more personal and economic freedom. TariCons support strict laissez-faire policies such as free trade, opposition to any national bank and opposition to business regulations.

Fiscal conservatism

FisCons hold that a government does not have the right to run up large debts and then throw the burden on the taxpayer. FisCons advocate for reduced government spending, minimal government debt, free trade, deregulation of the economy, lower taxes, and privatization. Formerly called classical liberalism and economic liberalism.

National conservatism

(Europe) A variant of conservatism that stresses national interests and cultural and ethnic identity, but without self-identifying as “nationalism” or “far-right.” They sometimes prioritize anti-immigration over free trade, deregulation, and fiscal conservatism. As Marx predicted, they have less political influence than economic conservatives.

NatCons are usually eurosceptics.

Traditional conservatism