Conservatism vs Social Conservatism
Conservatism values tradition, social stability and inherited institutions, and prefers gradual, tested change over large reforms based on abstract plans.
- Change should be gradual and build on existing institutions.
- Family, religion, local community and the nation give people meaning and stability.
- Human nature is imperfect, so laws and customs are needed to restrain it.
Social conservatism seeks to preserve traditional values on family, marriage, sexuality and religion, and supports laws and institutions that uphold them.
- The family based on marriage is the basic unit of society.
- Human life deserves legal protection from conception to natural death.
- Religion and moral tradition should have a respected place in public life.
- Conservatism: petals and stars
- Social Conservatism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Welfare45 points apart
Conservatism: Self-reliant (moderate). Social Conservatism: Self-reliant (mild).
- Markets35 points apart
Conservatism: Free (moderate). Social Conservatism: Free (mild).
- Ownership30 points apart
Conservatism: Private (moderate). Social Conservatism: Private (mild).
- Foreign policy25 points apart
Conservatism: Strength (strong). Social Conservatism: Strength (moderate).
★ Where they are closest
- Structure · 0 apart
- Technology · 5 apart
- Security · 5 apart
Axis by axis
Social Conservatism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipModerate: Private25%75%PublicPrivate
- MarketsModerate: Free28%72%PlannedFree
- WelfareModerate: Self-reliant23%77%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityMild: Strong leader35%65%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityStrong: Order18%82%LibertyOrder
- StructureMild: Central45%55%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityStrong: Traditional13%87%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionStrong: Religious18%82%SecularReligious
- TechnologyModerate: Caution25%75%EmbraceCaution
- CultureStrong: National identity13%87%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeMild: Protected35%65%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyStrong: Strength18%82%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Conservatism or Social Conservatism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Conservatism or Social Conservatism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Conservatism vs Social Conservatism
What is the difference between Conservatism and Social Conservatism?
Conservatism values tradition, social stability and inherited institutions, and prefers gradual, tested change over large reforms based on abstract plans. Social conservatism seeks to preserve traditional values on family, marriage, sexuality and religion, and supports laws and institutions that uphold them. On the 12 axes they differ most on welfare, markets, ownership.
What do Conservatism and Social Conservatism have in common?
Their positions are closest on structure, technology, security. Overall their profiles are a 89% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Conservatism or Social Conservatism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.