Cultural conservatism

"Cultural right" redirects here. For rights related to a people's art and culture, see Cultural rights.

Cultural conservatism is described as the protection of the cultural heritage of a nation state, or of a culture not defined by state boundaries.^[1] It is usually associated with criticism of multiculturalism, and opposition to illegal immigration. Because their monocultural ideologies are in conflict with those of anti-racism, cultural conservatives are often accused of racism.^[2] Cultural conservatism is sometimes focused upon threatened language revitalization, such as of the Distinctive local dialect of French in Quebec, Acadian French, Canadian Gaelic, and the Mi'kmaq language in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, or the Irish language in Newfoundland. Other times cultural conservatism is more focused upon the preservation of an ethnic minority's endangered culture such as those of Native Americans.

In the United States, cultural conservatism may imply a conservative position in the culture wars. Because cultural conservatism (according to the compass theory) expresses the social dimension of conservatism, it is sometimes referred to as social conservatism. However, social conservatism describes conservative moral and social values or stances on socio-cultural issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage in opposition to cultural liberalism (in USA, social liberalism).^[3] Nationalism, meanwhile, also differs from cultural conservatism as it does not always develop in a particular culture.

Arguments

In favor

Proponents argue that cultural conservatism preserves the cultural identity of a country. They often promote assimilation into the dominant culture, believing that monoculturalism is more constructive to national unity.^[4][5] They claim that assimilation facilitates the integration of immigrants and ethnic minorities into broader society, framing cultural conservatism as a solution to ethnic strife.^[6][7] Researchers note that the more culturally homogeneous a community is, the more people trust each other. Trust was shown to decrease in more culturally diverse areas.^[8]

Proponents of cultural conservatism have criticized multiculturalism, believing that cultural pluralism is detrimental to a unified national identity. They argue that cultural diversity only serves to marginalize immigrants by othering them as outsiders in society. In some countries multiculturalism is believed to create de facto racial segregation in the form of ethnic enclaves.^[6][7] Opposition to immigration is also a common stance among proponents. Immigrants often bring the cultures, religions, and languages of their home countries with them, sometimes influencing and changing the cultures of their host countries.^[9] Proponents of cultural conservatism argue that some of these imported cultural practices, such as hijabs, polygamy, child marriage, and female genital mutilation, are in direct conflict with the values of the dominant culture.^[10][11]

Against

Opponents argue that cultural conservatism is detrimental to cultural diversity. They criticize cultural conservatism for promoting cultural intolerance, creating narrow ethnocentric mindsets, and stifling self-expression.^[12] Opponents cite numerous historical atrocities that originated from extreme forms of cultural conservatism, such as racism, genocide, ethnic cleansing, colonialism, and racial segregation. They claim that cultural assimilation leads to the marginalization of minorities who do not conform to the dominant culture.^[13]

Opponents have supported multiculturalism, believing it creates a more diverse and tolerant society. They claim it helps people of the ethnic majority to learn more about other cultures, adapt better to social change, and be more tolerant of diversity.^[12] They also believe multiculturalism brings more attention to the historical accomplishments of other ethnic groups, which had been neglected in past times.^[14] Support for immigration is also a common stance among opponents of cultural conservatism, who argue that it enriches society by contributing diverse new ideas. In some cases the art, music, food, or clothing of the immigrants are adopted by the dominant culture.^[15]

By country

Australia

In 2006 the Australian Government proposed to introduce a compulsory citizenship test which would assess English skills and knowledge of Australian values. This sparked a debate over cultural conservatism in Australia. Andrew Robb told a conference that some Australians worried that interest groups had transformed multiculturalism into a philosophy that put "allegiances to original culture ahead of national loyalty, a philosophy which fosters separate development, a federation of ethnic cultures, not one community."^[16]

The One Nation Party is a conservative political party that opposes multiculturalism, calling it "a threat to the very basis of the Australian culture, identity and shared values."^[17]

Canada

Main articles: Canadian cultural protectionism and Culture of Canada

Unlike the United States, Canada has always been a culturally divided country, though to varying degrees. Since the premiership of Pierre Trudeau, Canadian identity has been viewed as a cultural mosaic. Trudeau Sr. once stated that there is "no such thing as a model or ideal Canadian," and that to desire one is a "disastrous" pursuit.^[18] His son Justin Trudeau, likewise Prime Minister, has continued to spread this spirit in declaring Canada "the first post-national state" due to its lack of a core identity and mainstream.^[19] The fifth wave of immigration to Canada which followed Trudeau Sr.'s premiership and continues to this day is the largest manifestation of this change. For example, the city of Richmond, British Columbia is majority Chinese, and nearly half of Torontonians are foreign-born, the city which now bears the motto "Diversity Our Strength."^[20] Canadian cultural conservatism as a reaction to the multiculturalism of Pierre Trudeau (and subsequently of Brian Mulroney) reached its peak with the Reform Party and waned over time. Its decline has been marked by the electoral failure of the People's Party of Canada, which formed partly as a response to the Conservative Party's perceived weakness on the issue.^[21]

Quebec

See also: Quebec sovereignty movement and French in Canada

Quebec is unique in Canada for its cultural conservatism. Though not a socially conservative province, nor religiously conservative (not since the aftermath of the Grande Noirceur), Quebecois culture has always maintained a certain suspicion and reluctance towards unity with the rest of Canada. Language protectionism (reflected in laws such as Bill 101) is a central concern of Quebec cultural conservatives. Quebec has held two referendums on separation and has never ratified the Constitution Act of 1982. The Bloc Québécois formed in reaction to the Mulroney premiership (like the Reform Party) to advocate for Quebecois interests in the federal parliament. It once held the office of Official Opposition, which was followed by a decline, but the party has seen a surge in popularity as of late, currently holding 32 of Quebec's 78 seats in the House of Commons.

China

Central to the ideas of the Cultural Revolution was the elimination of the Four Olds, which were elements of Chinese culture that at the time were seen to oppose the goals of Communism in China. However, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at the time protected some of the most important Chinese historical monuments, including some archaeological discoveries such as the Terracotta Army.^[22] CCP general secretary Xi Jinping has overseen a revival in popularity of historical Chinese cultural figures such as Confucius and has placed more emphasis on the value of Chinese culture than his predecessors.^[23] He also includes culture in his "comprehensive" political goals.^[24]

France

French political theorist Alain de Benoist argues that democracy itself must inherently be a government of a national culture, and that liberal pluralism is therefore not democratic.^[25]

Germany

In Germany, parallel societies established by some immigrant communities have been criticized by cultural conservatives, giving rise to the concept of the Leitkultur. Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union described attempts to build a multicultural German society to have "failed, utterly failed". Many Germans have expressed alarm over the large number of Muslim immigrants in their country, many of whom have failed to integrate into German society.^[26]

Italy

Italy is a very culturally conservative society. Recent surveys show that the vast majority of Italians want fewer immigrants to be allowed into the country, while few want to keep the current level or increase immigration.^[27][28]

Japan

Japan has been a culturally conservative society. Being monocultural, it has traditionally refused to recognize ethnic differences in Japan.^[29] Taro Aso has called Japan a "one race" nation.^[30]

Netherlands

Paul Cliteur attacked multiculturalism, political correctness, cultural relativism, and non-Western cultural values. He argued that cultural relativism would lead to acceptance of outdated practices brought to the Western World by immigrants such as sexism, homophobia, and antisemitism.^[31]

Paul Scheffer believes that cultural conservatism and integration are necessary for a society, but the presence of immigrants undermines this. He cites failure to assimilate, de facto segregation, unemployment, crime, and Muslim opposition to secularism as the main problems resulting from immigration.^[32]

Russia

In Russia, Russian culture has been defended by cultural conservatives on the grounds that the destruction of traditional values is undemocratic.^[33]

United Kingdom

In the 20th century, immigration to the United Kingdom gave rise to multicultural policies. However, ever since the beginning of the 21st century, the UK government has moved towards cultural conservatism and the assimilation of minority communities.^[34] Opposition has grown to multicultural government policies, with some viewing it as a costly failure. After the 7 July 2005 London bombings, Conservative David Davis called such policies "outdated".^[35]

Ed West argues that the British establishment had blindly embraced multiculturalism without proper consideration of the downsides of ethnic diversity.^[36] According to cultural conservatives, while minority cultures are allowed to remain distinct, traditional British culture is abhorred for being exclusive and adapts to accommodate minorities, often without the consent of the local population.^[37]

United States

Main article: Social conservatism in the United States

A prominent criticism by cultural conservatives in the United States is that multiculturalism undermines national unity, hinders social integration, and leads to the fragmentation of society.^[38] Samuel P. Huntington described multiculturalism as an anti-Western ideology that attacked the United States' inclusion in Western civilization, denied the existence of a common American culture, and promoted ethnic identities over national ones.^[39]

Discussions to do with the conservation of American culture often involve definitional disputes. Some consider the United States as a nation of immigrants or "melting pot," others (such as David Hackett Fischer) argue that British immigrant cultures are responsible for the development of modern American culture and values. American cultural conservatives often claim that the culture is at risk due primarily to demographic change from immigration, as well as the influence of academia, which has produced increasingly left-wing alumni over time.^[40] Dinesh D'Souza argues that multiculturalism in American universities undermines the moral universalism that education once stood for. In particular, he criticized the growth of ethnic studies programs.^[41]

List of cultural conservative political parties

Australia

• Australia First Party
• Australian Defence League
• Australian Protectionist Party
• Pauline Hanson's One Nation

Bulgaria

• Bulgarian National Union – New Democracy

Canada

• Canadian Nationalist Party
• People's Party of Canada
• Coalition Avenir Quebec

Czech Republic

• Freedom and Direct Democracy

Denmark

• Danish People's Party

Estonia

• Conservative People's Party of Estonia

Finland

• Blue and White Front
• Power Belongs to the People

France

• Blue, White and Red Rally
• National Rally
• Reconquête

Greece

• Greek Solution
• Greeks for the Fatherland
• LEPEN
• National Popular Consciousness

Hungary

• Fidesz
• Our Homeland Movement

Italy

• Lega Nord
• Lega per Salvini Premier

Netherlands

• Forum for Democracy
• Party for Freedom

New Zealand

• New Zealand First

Poland

• Law and Justice

Portugal

• CDS-PP
• Chega
• Ergue-te

Romania

• Alliance for the Union of Romanians
• People's Movement Party
• Romanian Nationhood Party

Serbia

• Serbian Party Oathkeepers

South Korea

• Dawn of Liberty Party

Spain

• Vox

Sweden

• Alternative for Sweden
• Sweden Democrats

United States

• Constitution Party
• Republican Party

See also

•  Conservatism portal

• Criticism of multiculturalism
• Cultural appropriation
• Cultural nationalism
• Paleoconservatism
• Paleolibertarianism
• Social conservatism
• Traditionalist conservatism

Notes

1. Cultural conservatism, political liberalism: from criticism to cultural studies by James Seaton, University of Michigan Press, 1996 ISBN 978-0472106455
2. Hawkins, Marcus (February 23, 2018). "Cultural Conservatism". ThoughtCo. Dotdash Meredith.
3. Chideya, Farai (2004). "The Red and the Blue: A Divided America". Trust: Reaching the 100 Million Missing Voters and Other Selected Essays. Soft Skull Press. pp. 33–46. ISBN 978-1932360264.
4. "Report attacks multiculturalism". BBC News. 30 September 2005.
5. Nagle, John (2009). Multiculturalism's double bind: creating inclusivity, cosmopolitanism and difference. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 129. ISBN 978-0754676072.
6. Malik, Kenan (14 December 2015). "The Failure of Multiculturalism". Foreign Affairs. Council on Foreign Relations (March/April 2015).
7. Malik, Kenan (18 December 2001). . Spiked Online. Archived from the original on 2 January 2002.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
8. Sailer, Steve (15 January 2007). . The American Conservative. Jon Basil Utley. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
9. Chapman, Roger; Ciment, James (2015). Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints and Voices. Routledge. ISBN 978-1317473510.
10. "Is Multiculturalism Bad For Women?". Boston Review. 1 October 1997.
11. Nyangweso, Mary (2014). Female Genital Cutting in Industrialized Countries: Mutilation or Cultural Tradition?. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1440833472.
12. Lerman, Antony (22 March 2010). "Guardian.co.uk". The Guardian. London.
13. Susanne Wessendorf, The multiculturalism backlash: European discourses, policies and practices, p. 35; accessed through Google Books, 12 February 2011.
14. C. James Trotman (2002). Multiculturalism: roots and realities. Indiana University Press. pp. 9–10. ISBN 978-0253340023.
15. United States Bureau of the Census (1995). Celebrating our nation's diversity: a teaching supplement for grades K–12. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census. pp. 1–.
16. The Courier Mail: National identity in spotlight, 28 November 2006 [1].
17. . Australianpolitics.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011.
18. "Pierre Trudeau Called It 'Absurd' That Canadians Must Be Alike". HuffPost Canada. 2016-11-21. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
19. "Trudeau's neglect of the nation has led us to this place". CBC. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
20. "History of City Symbols". City of Toronto. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
21. "Maxime Bernier Quits Conservatives To Form His Own Federal Party". HuffPost Canada. 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
22. Gao, Mobo C. F.; ebrary, Inc (2008). The battle for China's past [electronic resource] : Mao and the Cultural Revolution. Library Genesis. London; Ann Arbor, Mich.: Pluto Press. ISBN 978-0745327815. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)
23. "Xi Jinping's Love of Confucius May Backfire". Time. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
24. "从"三个自信"到"四个自信"–理论-人民网". theory.people.com.cn. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
25. De Benoist, Alain (2011). The Problem of Democracy. Arktos Publishing. p. 23. ISBN 978-1907166167.
26. "Merkel says German multicultural society has failed". BBC News. 17 October 2010.
27. Connor, Phillip; Krogstad, Jens Manuel. "Many worldwide oppose more migration – both into and out of their countries". Pew Research Center.
28. "Inmigración y medio ambiente centran la inquietud de los europeos". El País (in Spanish). 2019-05-13. ISSN 1134-6582.
29. "Abe fine with 'homogeneous' remark". Kyodo News. 27 February 2007.
30. "Aso says Japan is nation of 'one race'". 18 October 2005 – via Japan Times Online.
31. Paul Cliteur. De filosofie van mensenrechten. Nijmegen 1999.
32. Scheffer, Paul. "The Multicultural Tragedy".
33. Arakelyan, Lilia (2017). Russian Foreign Policy in Eurasia: National Interests and Regional Integration. Routledge. ISBN 978-1315468358.
34. Bam-Hutchison, June. . Institute for the Public Understanding of the Past; University of York. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.
35. George Jones (4 August 2005). "Multicultural Britain is not working, says Tory chief". Daily Telegraph. London.
36. West, Ed (2013). The Diversity Illusion: What We Got Wrong About Immigration & How to Set it Right, Gibson Square Books Ltd (ISBN 978-1908096050)
37. "Winterval gets frosty reception". BBC News. 9 November 1998.
38. Tilove, Jonathan (8 July 2007). . Statesman.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2007.
39. Huntington, Samuel P., The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996 ISBN 0684844419
40. "Is cultural conservatism doomed by demographics?". Spectator USA. 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
41. D'Souza, Dinesh (1991). Illiberal Education: The Politics of Race and Sex on Campus. New York: Free Press. ISBN 978-0684863849.

Further reading

• John J. Langdale III (2012). Superfluous Southerners: Cultural Conservatism and the South, 1920–1990. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press.