Change Quote by Corey Robin
““Conservatism, then, is not a commitment to limited government and liberty—or a wariness of change, a belief in evolutionary reform, or a politics of virtue. These may be the byproducts of conservatism, one or more of its historically specific and ever-changing modes of expression. But they are not its animating purpose. Neither is conservatism a makeshift fusion of capitalists, Christians, and warriors, for that fusion is impelled by a more elemental force—the opposition to the liberation of men and women from the fetters of their superiors, particularly in the private sphere.””
About This Quote
Source Article: “The Conservative Idea” in The New York Review of Books, 2019
Conservatism is driven not by limited government or tradition, but by a desire to keep hierarchical power structures intact, especially in private life.
In simple terms: Conservatism seeks to preserve elite control.
Key Takeaway
Examine how power dynamics shape political ideologies.
Themes
power
hierarchy
politics
tradition
social control
ideology
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
theoretical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- activist strategy
- academic curricula
- media critique
Key Concepts
political theory
social stratification
gender studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view explain resistance to social change?
- What examples show conservatism protecting elite interests?
A Different Perspective
Not all conservatives share this motive; motivations vary across contexts.
![“[Conservatism is] a fight for keeping these qualities that made us move unceasingly.” quote by Janusz Korwin-Mikke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/062/janusz-korwin-mikke-15927_conservatism_conservatism-is-a-fight-for-keeping-thes_130440.jpg)
