ConservatismĀ -- by definition -- is "a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability,Ā stressing the importance of established hierarchies and institutionsĀ (such as religion, the family, andĀ class structure), and preferring gradual development to abrupt change".
TheĀ soleĀ value of conservatism is respect for and obedience to [one's perception of] traditionally established hierarchy, and hierarchy dictates that those on top (in-groups) are rightfully idolized and receive privileges, credibility, and resources, while those on the bottom (out-groups) are demonized/dehumanized and/or bound by restrictions, scrutiny, and lack of resources.
To them, the second-greatest injustice imaginable is for those [they perceive to be] on top [of social hierarchy] to be bound by the restrictions, scrutiny, and lack of resources reserved for those on the bottom. The first greatest injustice is for those on the bottom to have access to the rights, credibility, and resources reserved for those on top.
Conservatives absolutely need an underclass [for society] to demonize and dehumanize in order to maintain [their] hierarchy, and every single one of their policies and rhetoric work to do exactly that. Unless the accusation is one of disrespecting hierarchy, every right-wing accusation is a confession --Ā every. single. one; always!Ā -- as it is neverĀ the act itselfĀ that upsets them, but rather,Ā the social standingĀ of the person doing the act, as said act is a privilege meant for those on top of [their perceived] hierarchy (See also: pedophilia - Trump and the Catholic church versus LGBTQ+ and drag queens; protests - January 6th vs. BLM and No Kings; parental rights - anti-LGBTQ+ vs pro-LGBTQ+; indoctrination - religion vs. education).
Those who believeĀ all people are peopleĀ see hypocrisy, while those who believeĀ some people are "more/less" people than othersĀ see hierarchy. Hypocrisy implies a sense of equality/parity, as the accusation of such is that someone is violating aĀ universalĀ orĀ commonĀ standard. Hierarchy directly states that thereĀ is no equality/parity, that different social strata have different standards, that the only universal standard concerning hierarchy is that those on top are allowed privileges which are denied to those on the bottom, and that the bottom are held to standards which the top are exempt from.
The goals of conservatism is to maintain the hierarchy, and ensure that no out groups obtain rights or power.
It has no purpose other than that. The appeal to base racism, or jingoism, nationalism, are all ruses. The conservative doesn't care about those things, they care about being part of a ruling power and using legitimized violence of the state to enforce it.
They aren't religious, they aren't patriotic, they aren't loyal to the nation they live in.
Rational conservatives maintain that a community with a hierarchy of authority is most conducive to human well-being.
Confucius is another possible precursor. His concern with the breakdown of contemporary political institutions led to a cautious, conservative political outlook; his stress on authority and hierarchy prefigures central conservative themes.
With the Enlightenment, the natural order or social hierarchy, previously largely accepted, was questioned.
Western conservatism is a product from the Age of Enlightenment -- specifically, a Counter-Enlightenment, a reactionary challenge to the concepts of Humanism. Its philosophers inherently reject[ed] a society governed by logic and reason, human rights and dignity, science and democracy, as its ideology solely appeal to the authority of traditionally established hierarchies.
Burke shocked his contemporaries by insisting with brutal frankness that āillusionsā and āprejudicesā are socially necessary. He believed that most human beings are innately depraved, steeped in original sin, and unable to better themselves with their feeble reason. Better, he said, to rely on the ālatent wisdomā of prejudice, which accumulates slowly through the years, than to āput men to live and trade each on his own private stock of reason.ā Among such prejudices are those that favour an established church and a landed aristocracy; members of the latter, according to Burke, are the āgreat oaksā and āproper chieftainsā of society, provided that they temper their rule with a spirit of timely reform and remain within the constitutional framework.
The very foundation of conservatism demands, promotes, and advances a stratified society where some people are "more/less" people than others via stressing the importance of established hierarchies and institutions (such as class structure) via illusions (lies) and prejudices (bigotries) and "alternative facts".
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u/Shido_Ohtori 9h ago
ConservatismĀ -- by definition -- is "a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability,Ā stressing the importance of established hierarchies and institutionsĀ (such as religion, the family, andĀ class structure), and preferring gradual development to abrupt change".
TheĀ soleĀ value of conservatism is respect for and obedience to [one's perception of] traditionally established hierarchy, and hierarchy dictates that those on top (in-groups) are rightfully idolized and receive privileges, credibility, and resources, while those on the bottom (out-groups) are demonized/dehumanized and/or bound by restrictions, scrutiny, and lack of resources.
To them, the second-greatest injustice imaginable is for those [they perceive to be] on top [of social hierarchy] to be bound by the restrictions, scrutiny, and lack of resources reserved for those on the bottom. The first greatest injustice is for those on the bottom to have access to the rights, credibility, and resources reserved for those on top.
Conservatives absolutely need an underclass [for society] to demonize and dehumanize in order to maintain [their] hierarchy, and every single one of their policies and rhetoric work to do exactly that. Unless the accusation is one of disrespecting hierarchy, every right-wing accusation is a confession --Ā every. single. one; always!Ā -- as it is neverĀ the act itselfĀ that upsets them, but rather,Ā the social standingĀ of the person doing the act, as said act is a privilege meant for those on top of [their perceived] hierarchy (See also: pedophilia - Trump and the Catholic church versus LGBTQ+ and drag queens; protests - January 6th vs. BLM and No Kings; parental rights - anti-LGBTQ+ vs pro-LGBTQ+; indoctrination - religion vs. education).
Those who believeĀ all people are peopleĀ see hypocrisy, while those who believeĀ some people are "more/less" people than othersĀ see hierarchy. Hypocrisy implies a sense of equality/parity, as the accusation of such is that someone is violating aĀ universalĀ orĀ commonĀ standard. Hierarchy directly states that thereĀ is no equality/parity, that different social strata have different standards, that the only universal standard concerning hierarchy is that those on top are allowed privileges which are denied to those on the bottom, and that the bottom are held to standards which the top are exempt from.
"Know your place" is their mantra.