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Origin and history of conservative

conservative(adj.)

late 14c., conservatyf, "tending to preserve or protect, preservative, having the power to keep whole or safe," from Old French conservatif, from Medieval Latin conservativus, from Latin conservatus, past participle of conservare "to keep, preserve, keep intact, guard," from assimilated form of com-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (see com-), + servare "keep watch, maintain" (from PIE root *ser- (1) "to protect").

From 1840 in the general sense "disposed to retain and maintain what is established, opposed to innovation and change," or, in a negative sense "opposed to progress."

As a modern political tradition, "antagonistic to change in the institutions of a country," often especially "opposed to changes toward pure democracy," conservatism traces to Edmund Burke's opposition to the French Revolution (1790), but the word conservative is not found in his writing. It was coined by his French disciples (such as Chateaubriand, who titled his journal defending clerical and political restoration "Le Conservateur").

Conservative as the name of a British political faction first appeared in an 1830 issue of the "Quarterly Review," in an unsigned article sometimes attributed to John Wilson Croker. It replaced Tory (q.v.) by 1843, reflecting both a change from the pejorative name (in use for 150 years) and repudiation of some reactionary policies.

Strictly speaking, conservatism is not a political system, and certainly not an ideology. ... Instead, conservatism is a way of looking at the civil social order. ... Unlike socialism, anarchism, and even liberalism, then, conservatism offers no universal pattern of politics for adoption everywhere. On the contrary, conservatives reason that social institutions always must differ considerably from nation to nation, since any land's politics must be the product of that country's dominant religion, ancient customs, and historical experience. [Russell Kirk, "What is Conservatism," introduction to "The Portable Conservative Reader," 1982]

Phrases such as conservative estimate (1874), in which it means "characterized by caution, deliberately low," make no sense etymologically. Related: Conservatively; conservativeness.

also from late 14c.

conservative(n.)

late 14c., "means of preservation, a preservative," from conservative (adj.). The political use is by 1831, originally in a British context.

also from late 14c.

Entries linking to conservative

Tory(n.)

1566, in English state papers, "an Irish outlaw," in 17c. especially one of a class of Irish robbers noted for outrages upon English settlers and savage cruelty, from Irish toruighe "plunderer," originally "pursuer, searcher," from Old Irish toirighim "I pursue," from toir "pursuit," from Celtic *to-wo-ret- "a running up to," from PIE root *ret- "to run, roll" (see rotary). It also was used of a hector or bully, and of robbers or bandits generally.

About 1646, it emerged as a derogatory term for Irish Catholics dispossessed of their land (some of whom subsequently turned to outlawry); c. 1680 it was applied by Exclusioners to supporters of the Catholic Duke of York (later James II) in the dispute over his succession to the throne of England.

After 1689, Tory (with a capital) was the name of a British political party at first composed of Yorkist Tories of 1680; it also included the political descendants of the Cavaliers and Royalists and served as the Court party (compare Whig). As a name it was superseded c. 1830 by Conservative, though it continues to be used colloquially.

[H]e who draws his pen for one party must expect to make enemies of the other. For wit and fool are consequents of Whig and Tory ; and every man is a knave or an ass to the contrary side. [Dryden, "Absalom & Achitophel," 1681]

Thus vaguely "a conservative," or anyone who supports the continuance of established authorities and institutions or has aristocratic principles (opposed to a liberal or democrat). In American history, Tory was the name applied after 1769 to colonists who remained loyal to the crown; it represents their relative position in the pre-revolutionary political order in the English colonies.

A Tory has been properly defined to be a traitor in thought, but not in deed. The only description, by which the laws have endeavoured to come at them, was that of non-jurors, or persons refusing to take the oath of fidelity to the state. [Jefferson, "Notes on the State of Virginia"]

As an adjective, "pertaining to or characteristic of the Tory party," from 1680s. Related: Toryism; Torify.

conservatism(n.)

1835, "political principles and opinions of the Conservative party in British politics;" from conservative + -ism. From 1838 in reference to conservative principles generally, "disposition to maintain and adhere to the established order of things, wariness of innovation or change."