Western Civilization II / Unit 10 WC2 0902 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Conservatism: De Maistre, Original Sin, and Peace, Tradition, Stability
Captions available
The idea
Conservatism justified the old order by peace, tradition and stability: what had worked for centuries beat the forces of seventeen eighty-nine, whose rapid change had produced the Terror and twenty years of war. De Maistre added original sin: depraved human nature checked by monarchy, nobility and church.
In practice
Careful reform acceptable; rapid change never.
Where people slip
The anchor's verdict on conservatism in practice is attributed.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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