compassionate conservatism

English

Noun

compassionate conservatism (uncountable)

1. A political philosophy that stresses using traditionally Conservative techniques and concepts in order to improve the general welfare of society.
   • 1981 July 23, Vernon Jordan, New York Times, page 17:

     I do not challenge the conservatism of this Administration. I do challenge its failure to exhibit a compassionate conservatism that adapts itself to the realities of a society ridden by class and race distinction.

   • 1984 September 20, Ray Shamie, Christian Science Monitor, page 19:

     I believe in a visionary and compassionate conservatism

   • 1984 November 8, James Robert Jones (interviewee), New York Times

     I think we should adopt the slogan of compassionate conservatism.... We can be fiscally conservative without losing our commitment to the needy and we must redirect our policy in that direction.

Related terms

• compassionate conservative

References

• Myron Magnet (1999 February 5) “What is compassionate conservatism?”, in The Wall Street Journal

Further reading

• compassionate conservatism on Wikipedia.Wikipedia