Conservatism in American Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Conservatism in American Politics - Essay Example For instance, Farmer (2005) clarifies that after the struggle witnessed in the American Civil War where the North fought for the Union to stand while the South were in favor of intensifying slavery, the term conservative signified antagonism against the radical republicans with an intention of giving the freed slaves full citizenship rights (Glenn and Teles, 2009). On the other hand, within the Reconstruction Era, this term signified antagonism against Radical Republicans with an intention of giving the freed slaves political authority after snatching it from ex-confederates. For a long time now, the political history of America has been shaped considerably by conservatism. There are a number of constants that together, sum up the conservatism in American politics including the backing of the republicanism, Christianity and the rule of law, respect for customs, and the defense of westernization against challenges brought in by totalitarian governments and modernist culture (Durham, 2012). The conservative nature of American politics can be traced back to American history and this is very evident while comparing with other nations such as Britain. For instance, the American government is more incredulous of the state’s power stating that it should be left in the hands of an individual who then delivers it upward to the â€Å"government that is at the lowest level possible†. On the other hand, Britons are of the idea that authority starts above and trickles down through the positions. Additionally, Americans consider that the government is responsible for giving them the required freedom to pursue their objectives (Brinkley, 1994). Conservatives have for a long time supported Republicans because they believe they share similar views such as tough foreign policy, a powerful military and backing for Israel. It is important to emphasize that conservatism in American politics is characterized by conflicting ideologies and