A Political phrase that has been thrown around so much that it has lost its meaning and has many people who pretend to be it(Just as with the word Liberal).

Conservatives generally believe in less government and a government that only steps in when necessary.

On Economic Issues, Conservatives generally believe in low taxes, a flat income tax(seeing that it is the only equal and constitutional way to conduct a tax) and financial independence. They believe that a person's money belongs to the person, not the government. They believe in less government spending and fewer government programs. They are against welfare(both Corporate and Private) and intervention in the economy. These beliefs are generally known as "Fiscal Conservatism".

On Social Issues, Conservatives believe in interfering only when someone's constitutional rights are at risk. This is why many Conservatives are Pro-Life(they see abortion as an attack on a human being's constitutional right to live). Conservatives are against "Big Brother" telling you how to live your life.

Many Conservatives believe in an idea known as "Peace Through Strength." An idea that revolves around military strength and the power of intimidation to avoid war.

Conservatives are usually identified with the Republican Party, although in recent years, the Party has broken into a civil war between Conservatives and Neo-Conservatives(Not to be confused with Conservatives). And, recently, Neo-Conservatives have began to use the term "conservative" to refer to their own beliefs. However, some prominent Conservatives, such as John McCain, Ron Paul, and Fred Thompson, have risen and popularity as well as the ideas behind True Conservatism.

Despite the misgivings of certain individuals who have an absurdly black/white view of the political spectrum, conservatism does not instantly mean hypocrasy and it certainly is not necessarily far-right in philosophy. Conservatism can be broadly categorised in two areas:

1. Fiscal conservatism. A belief in personal responsibility for finances. Scaling back taxation to allow greater control over individual incomes. Conservative thinking promotes cutbacks in public spending enabling tax breaks to be given to those that are earning, and believes in helping those out of work back into self sufficiency.

2. Social conservatism. Contrary to the fiscal conservatism, social conservatives believe in placing restrictions on personal freedoms, resulting in more government involvement into the daily lives of individuals. This is also known as neo-conservative.

1) One who espouses a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change.

2) One who believes in less government being better government.

3) One who believes in such "outmoded" ideas as civil liberties (freedom of speech, separation of church and state, right to keep and bear arms, that kind of thing)

4) One for whom the Republican Party no longer truly speaks.

5) a word that today's so-called "conservatives" don't know the definition of.

Conservative (Non Political)

Means very little.

Conservative (Political)

Policies are small government, pro gun, pro life, low taxes, and a free market. LGBTQ rights varies between conservatives some say it is wrong while others are indifferent. The Republican party is the conservative force in the United States of America with its roots beginning in the early 17th century. The Republican parties main concern was the abolition of slavery (the first 23 African American senators were Republican). When the civil rights movement began in the late 1950's to late 70's it was backed by most Republicans and a handful of Democrats. In the early 1990's - Present many conservatives have been labeled racist, homophobic, and sexist by the Democratic party because of a so called party switch which is heavily debated due to the fact that many people find it impossible for a hole party filled with millions of opinionated men and women deciding to switch.

1)A term for people who learn towards the right side of the political spectrum. Like all political idealogies, it has both good and bad points.
2)(In America) A political affliation. Conservatives tend to believe in people taking care of themselves with as little government help as possible. They do not usually believe in social welfare systems. They also tend beleive in a strict interpretation of the Constitution in regard to the powers of the governement. Many but not all conservatives are supportive of the war in Iraq. A large portion of conservatives are Republicans.
Sadly, some conservatives (as with all groups of people) are biased and blindlly accuse liberals and other people they don't like of being "un-american" or not committed to protecting our country from terrorists.
3)a) Careful or cautious about things
b) not given to flamboyancy.

1) A non argument used by people, egged on by talking heads. Often used in place of an intelligent point.

2) An economic ideology that emphasizes fiscal responsibility: Saving money as opposed to spending it.

3) A political ideology that less is more when in refference to the scale that Government should play in daily life.

4) Not to be confused with neo-conservative or neo con which emphasizes spending, and larger government.

A person who espouses the idea of "less government". However, they tend to espouse the idea of "less government" more when it comes to spending money for social programs. They have no qualms about looking over people's shoulders, spying on or jailing people for suspected "un-American activities" at a base that is not even on American soil. Among their interference in our lives: spying on cell phone calls without permission of Congress, saying, "I'm the president. Why do I need anyone's permission?", or using brute military force to enforce their vision of that things should be like on the outside world. They believe in torture in the name of national security. As far as financial responsibility, they believe in shrinking down every part of the government but giving the Department of Defense what is essentially a blank check, and run up horrific deficits fighting senseless, endless wars. Strength is good, but waste is not. They are often religious, but they seem to have Jesus Christ confused with Ronald Reagan. Their philosophies are often subtly or blatantly racist and xenophobic, and they have been known to advocate disenfranchisement of women and minorities (see: ann coulter because these groups overwhelmingly vote liberal and are growing much faster than the aging white male voter base they rely on. Their failed policies were rejected in the 2008 election, by the "true" patriots of our great country.

The fear that someone somewhere, may be happy.

Most often members of the Republican Party in America.

Most often known as fucking nuts by the rest of the world.