A MODERN RENAISSANCE: THE ORIGIN OF SOCIAL CONSERVATISM
Awry has gone American incorporation of equality; A new era flowing in the channels etched by the religious fundamentalism movement of the 20th century has found itself well rooted in the current political climate  of contemporary progressivism. A well versed philosophy, social conservatism breathes a new life in the modern day, fueled not by any revolutionary culture shock, but rather as a natural opposition to the order of modern progressivism. A Peloponnesian crisis in the height of its conflict, one is compelled to examine the origins of the American dichotomy.
America is entrenched in an arguable social revolution, similar in caliber yet deviant in direction to the counter-culture movement of the 70’s. A modern renaissance, a complete and utter return to and worship of individuality and its adjuncts with a simultaneous succession from tradition has embroiled America in social issues fixated on exactly that, of which hold the dogmatic and unconditional support of the progressive left. In opposition rest the conservative right, reverential towards tradition and contemptuous to the individual. This is not, however, comprehensive of the expansive defining characteristics of either ideology, but is rather the center of vernacular politics and highlights the danger of political ideologism in a contemporary society.
Progressive America will face natural opposition, of which ebbs and flows out of power but, as history will show, will persist despite vehement opposition. Such seems to be the natural order of man and world, yet the origins and rationale of such opposition is of interest to a forward-looking society.
Well, where and how did this opposition come to rise? Though developed over millennia and with an eclectic influence spanning the political existence of man, I propose a single theory that encompasses why the trend of social conservatism exist and thrives universally,
Progressivism’s lens is one of altruistic forward movement; letting go of worldly pleasures, comforting tradition, and perhaps social security in the quest of social betterment is the substrate off which social progressivism thrives. Social progressivism aims to bequeath what the subjugated lack.
Conservatism’s lens is one of regression in favor of comfort and ease. The status quo, the Mephistopheles of modern conservatism, rest easy as the philosophy’s sole focus. Maintaining the status quo affords the worldly pleasures and sense of stability desired by those with the psychological inability to cope with personal compromises. To ensure both an external and internal homogeny is to soothe the worries of conservatism.
Such is the origins of conservatism; an inability to put another before oneself. In the face of movement threatening the institutions and traditions of society, along has come those whose insecurities overpower them. Conservatism is not a philosophy rooted in thought and mediation, but is rather a regression of the human state to its more primitive nature; of self centric thought and comfort within tradition.
