American conservative movement

American conservative movement
Name	American conservative movement
Founded	20th century (broadly)
Region	United States
Ideology	Conservatism

American conservative movement is a political and intellectual coalition in the United States that promotes traditionalist, free-market, and national-security oriented positions. It emerged from 20th-century debates among figures in journalism, academia, and politics and has been shaped by parties, think tanks, media outlets, and social movements. The movement has influenced presidential administrations, congressional coalitions, judicial appointments, and cultural debates.

Origins and early development

The movement traces roots to reactions against Progressive Era reforms and New Deal policies involving figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Warren G. Harding, and institutions such as the Republican Party (United States), Democratic Party (United States), The New York Times, Harper's Magazine, and The Atlantic (magazine). Early conservative intellectuals included Russell Kirk, Frank Meyer, William F. Buckley Jr., Whittaker Chambers, and John Dos Passos, who engaged with journals such as National Review (United States), The Freeman (magazine), The American Conservative and organizations like the American Enterprise Institute and The Heritage Foundation. The postwar era saw alignment with foreign-policy concerns exemplified by debates over the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine, and opposition to Joseph Stalin, involving activists connected to Congress for Cultural Freedom and the Radio Free Europe. Mid-century electoral shifts were shaped by campaigns of Barry Goldwater and later by the coalition-building that supported Ronald Reagan.

Ideological currents and factions

Conservative thought diversified into strands including paleoconservatism associated with figures like Patrick Buchanan and publications such as Chronicles (magazine); neoconservatism linked to intellectuals like Irving Kristol, Norman Podhoretz, and policy actors in the Project for the New American Century; libertarianism represented by Milton Friedman, Ayn Rand, Barry Goldwater allies, and groups like the Cato Institute; and traditionalist conservatism building on Edmund Burke's legacy through thinkers such as Russell Kirk. Factions have differed on issues including trade policy influenced by debates over the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act legacy, social policy involving litigation before the Supreme Court of the United States (e.g., Roe v. Wade), and national-security strategy involving the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror.

Political organizations and leaders

Organizationally, the movement has been advanced by advocacy groups and parties such as the Republican National Committee, Conservative Party of New York State, Libertarian Party (United States), Tea Party movement, and later formations linked to Donald Trump's campaigns and administrations with allied groups like Americans for Prosperity, Club for Growth, Citizens United, Federalist Society, Young America's Foundation, and the Heritage Foundation. Prominent political leaders who have shaped strategy include Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Donald Trump, Barry Goldwater, Mitt Romney, Ted Cruz, Mike Pence, Paul Ryan, and activists such as Phyllis Schlafly and William F. Buckley Jr.. Media figures and broadcasters—Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson (TV host), Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter—and networks like Fox News Channel and talk radio platforms played roles in mobilization.

Policy influence and governance

Conservative policymaking influenced tax policy through legislation such as the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, regulatory policy via deregulatory initiatives in administrations of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, and judicial appointments confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States shaping decisions on cases like Citizens United v. FEC and later rulings affecting Affordable Care Act challenges. Foreign-policy influence appeared in approaches to Soviet Union containment during the Cold War, interventions during the Bosnian War, the Iraq War, and policies toward China and Iran. Economic policy debates involved engagement with ideas from Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and institutions such as the Brookings Institution (as interlocutor), with advocacy for privatization, market liberalization, and school-choice initiatives shaped by organizations like National School Choice Week proponents.

Social movements and cultural impact

Cultural conservatism intersected with social movements including the Moral Majority, the Religious Right, anti-abortion activism centered around groups like National Right to Life Committee, and civil-society organizing by Christian Coalition of America. These movements engaged with debates over LGBT rights exemplified by reactions to rulings and legislation, education policy controversies involving No Child Left Behind Act proponents and opponents, and popular culture critiques through outlets like The Weekly Standard and National Review (United States). The movement fostered networks linking religious leaders such as Jerry Falwell Sr. and Pat Robertson with policy advocates, influencing local school-board campaigns, media production, and philanthropy through foundations like the Bradley Foundation.

Criticism and controversies

Critics from across the political spectrum—scholars like Noam Chomsky, progressive organizations such as MoveOn.org Political Action, libertarian critics, and conservative dissidents like Irving Kristol opponents—have challenged aspects of the movement over issues including allegations of partisan polarization surrounding events like the Watergate scandal, controversies over campaign-finance rulings like Citizens United v. FEC, critiques of economic inequality attributed to tax and regulatory policies, and debates over executive power exemplified during the Iran–Contra affair and post-9/11 surveillance expansions. Internal controversies have included disputes over immigration policy highlighted by figures like Nikki Haley and Senator Jeff Sessions, debates over trade and tariffs involving Peter Navarro supporters, and factional fights evident during presidential primaries and congressional realignments.

Category:Conservatism in the United States