Latin Conservatism
Encyclopedia
Latin Conservatism is a political ideology
in southern Europe
expressed by noted Savoyard thinker Joseph de Maistre
and which reached its peak in Spain
under Francisco Franco
, though many elements of Latin Conservatism were already advocated in the 17th century by Padre Antonio Vieira
and some principles undoubtedly reach back to antiquity (cf. Aristotle
, Nichomachean Ethics.)
, which originated at about the same time, Latin Conservatism is uncompromising in its belief in the need for order. While Burke supported constitutionalism
and some degree of democracy
, Maistre, like Thomas Hobbes
before him, though with a more religious tone, supported authoritarianism
as the only means of avoiding violent disorder. Burkean gradualism would seem to allow for the incrementalism of Fabian Socialism, whereas Latin Conservatism, with its insistence on the inexorability of the natural and supernatural orders and the superiority of the supernatural over the natural, would not.
Maistre, a diplomat who had to flee for his life during the French Revolution
, became convinced that ultra-liberal ideas, particularly Rousseau's theory of a "general will", had led to the horrors of the French Revolution and the bloodshed of the Napoleonic Wars
. In forceful terms he compared the situation of his day to the Book of Genesis.
"Order" was the divine will, "chaos" the devil's will and "revolution" was original sin
. But Maistre also objected to the quasi-secularism and self-indulgence of some late 18th century monarchies, and believed that state and church must remain inseparable.
He summed up how moral order, in his opinion, had to be maintained in what became the unofficial motto of Latin Conservatism, "the pope and the executioner". Maistre's dislike of leftist intellectuals also influenced later conservatives in southern Europe.
Maistre's political beliefs seemed to triumph for a time after the Bourbon Restoration of 1815, but the revolutions that swept Europe in 1830 and 1848 allowed the liberal and sometimes the radical left to predominate through much of the continent. That Spain remained a monarchy through the 19th century can in part be attributed to Maistre's influence.
The next major figures of Latin Conservatism to arise were the Catalunyan priest Jaime Balmes and Spanish nobleman Juan Donoso Cortés
. The latter, in particular, examined Liberalism and its variants in light of the Catholic understanding of the doctrine of Original Sin. His masterwork "An Essay on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism" developed this analysis at length; in summary form, written as a letter to Cardinal Fornari, his work was influential in shaping the Syllabus of Errors
of Pope Pius IX. His influence is also clearly evident in the encyclical "Libertas præstantissimum" of Pope Leo XIII
. Balmes and Donoso both died relatively young, and their influence diminished. It was to take the upsurge of anarchism
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to revive Latin Conservatism.
Felix Sarda y Salvany
was a Spanish Catholic priest and writer, famous for book El liberalismo es pecado, which was reprinted countless times. He believed that liberalism is the "radical and absolute negation of the sovereignty of God", all the more dangerous since it became an official error, introduced into the government of princes by powerful figures.
became increasingly violent
, with new generations becoming increasingly nihilistic in their beliefs and using terrorism
to promote their ideas. Some attribute this development to the influence of Mikhail Bakunin
, though this is disputed – see his article for details. Notably, Tsar Alexander II of Russia
and President William McKinley
in the United States were both assassinated by anarchists, and anarchists in Spain
launched a series of fatal attacks on Roman Catholic churches in 1909. In Spain, where the Catholic influence was very strong, Maistre's ideas had renewed appeal.
The extreme violence of the left set the stage for perhaps the greatest triumph of Latin Conservatism. Violence between the left and right culminated in the Spanish Civil War
(1936–1939), and the right, under Francisco Franco, emerged victorious.
Franco, a devout Catholic and advocate of nationalcatolicismo
often considered to be a fascist, was intent on destroying violent anarchism and immorality and restoring Catholicism as the state religion and was willing to resort to extreme measures to achieve his goals, as were the leftists. Each side murdered about 80,000 political opponents during the war, and Franco executed some 10,000 more left-wingers after the war.
During Franco's rule as dictator (1939–1975), the principles of Maistre's Latin Conservatism were fully instituted in Spain. Many theaters, which in pre-Franco Spain had were regarded as leftist and amoral, were shut down, and theatre and cinema were heavily censored.
Catholic faith was required to hold a government post. Political dissent was not allowed. Even as Europe became increasingly liberal in the 1950s and 1960s, Franco held firm to his ideas.
He died in 1975 believing that he had chosen a successor more akin to his ideas, however Juan Carlos, while giving tribute to Franco after his death, led the Spanish transition to democracy
and Franco's death essentially ended Latin Conservatism as a major political force. In the United States, however, ideas of a similar nature developed independently with some influence from Latin Conservatism, and are currently held by paleoconservatives like Pat Buchanan
and members of the Constitution Party
.
and his party, Front National
, in France, as well as marginal, insignificant groups in other European countries.
Like all political ideologies, Latin Conservatism is the source of much controversy. To conservatives and to many Roman Catholics, it was the only way to prevent the extreme anarchism and violence prevalent at many times in history.
To liberals, however, Latin Conservatism was an inexcusable and overbearing infringement on personal rights. Even its bitterest opponents, however, would concede that under Franco, Latin Conservatism did achieve its goal of maintaining order.
Ideology
An ideology is a set of ideas that constitutes one's goals, expectations, and actions. An ideology can be thought of as a comprehensive vision, as a way of looking at things , as in common sense and several philosophical tendencies , or a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to...
in southern Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
expressed by noted Savoyard thinker Joseph de Maistre
Joseph de Maistre
Joseph-Marie, comte de Maistre was a French-speaking Savoyard philosopher, writer, lawyer, and diplomat. He defended hierarchical societies and a monarchical State in the period immediately following the French Revolution...
and which reached its peak in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
under Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
, though many elements of Latin Conservatism were already advocated in the 17th century by Padre Antonio Vieira
António Vieira
Father António Vieira was a Portuguese Jesuit and writer, the "prince" of Catholic pulpit-orators of his time.-Life:Vieira was born in Lisbon to Cristóvão Vieira Ravasco, the son of a mulatto woman, and Maria de Azevedo. Accompanying his parents to Brazil in 1614, he received his education at the...
and some principles undoubtedly reach back to antiquity (cf. Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
, Nichomachean Ethics.)
Maistre versus Burke
In contrast to Burkean ConservatismConservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
, which originated at about the same time, Latin Conservatism is uncompromising in its belief in the need for order. While Burke supported constitutionalism
Constitutionalism
Constitutionalism has a variety of meanings. Most generally, it is "a complex of ideas, attitudes, and patterns of behavior elaborating the principle that the authority of government derives from and is limited by a body of fundamental law"....
and some degree of democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, Maistre, like Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury , in some older texts Thomas Hobbs of Malmsbury, was an English philosopher, best known today for his work on political philosophy...
before him, though with a more religious tone, supported authoritarianism
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy...
as the only means of avoiding violent disorder. Burkean gradualism would seem to allow for the incrementalism of Fabian Socialism, whereas Latin Conservatism, with its insistence on the inexorability of the natural and supernatural orders and the superiority of the supernatural over the natural, would not.
Maistre, a diplomat who had to flee for his life during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, became convinced that ultra-liberal ideas, particularly Rousseau's theory of a "general will", had led to the horrors of the French Revolution and the bloodshed of the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
. In forceful terms he compared the situation of his day to the Book of Genesis.
"Order" was the divine will, "chaos" the devil's will and "revolution" was original sin
Original sin
Original sin is, according to a Christian theological doctrine, humanity's state of sin resulting from the Fall of Man. This condition has been characterized in many ways, ranging from something as insignificant as a slight deficiency, or a tendency toward sin yet without collective guilt, referred...
. But Maistre also objected to the quasi-secularism and self-indulgence of some late 18th century monarchies, and believed that state and church must remain inseparable.
He summed up how moral order, in his opinion, had to be maintained in what became the unofficial motto of Latin Conservatism, "the pope and the executioner". Maistre's dislike of leftist intellectuals also influenced later conservatives in southern Europe.
Maistre's political beliefs seemed to triumph for a time after the Bourbon Restoration of 1815, but the revolutions that swept Europe in 1830 and 1848 allowed the liberal and sometimes the radical left to predominate through much of the continent. That Spain remained a monarchy through the 19th century can in part be attributed to Maistre's influence.
The next major figures of Latin Conservatism to arise were the Catalunyan priest Jaime Balmes and Spanish nobleman Juan Donoso Cortés
Juan Donoso Cortés
Juan Donoso Cortés, marqués de Valdegamas , Spanish author, political theorist, and diplomat, was born at Valle de la Serena...
. The latter, in particular, examined Liberalism and its variants in light of the Catholic understanding of the doctrine of Original Sin. His masterwork "An Essay on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism" developed this analysis at length; in summary form, written as a letter to Cardinal Fornari, his work was influential in shaping the Syllabus of Errors
Syllabus of Errors
The Syllabus of Errors was a document issued by Holy See under Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1864, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, on the same day as the Pope's encyclical Quanta Cura.- Format :...
of Pope Pius IX. His influence is also clearly evident in the encyclical "Libertas præstantissimum" of Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
. Balmes and Donoso both died relatively young, and their influence diminished. It was to take the upsurge of anarchism
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to revive Latin Conservatism.
Felix Sarda y Salvany
Felix Sarda y Salvany
Felix Sardà y Salvany was a Spanish Catholic priest and writer born near Barcelona. He exercized an apostolate of charity and of the written word.-Revista popular:...
was a Spanish Catholic priest and writer, famous for book El liberalismo es pecado, which was reprinted countless times. He believed that liberalism is the "radical and absolute negation of the sovereignty of God", all the more dangerous since it became an official error, introduced into the government of princes by powerful figures.
Anarchism and Francoist Spain
The most noted 20th century example of Latin Conservatism occurred in Spain, following 19th century events. In the late 19th century, some strains of anarchist thoughtAnarchist schools of thought
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
became increasingly violent
Anarchism and violence
Anarchism and violence have become closely connected in popular thought, in part because of a concept of "propaganda of the deed". Propaganda of the deed, or attentát, was espoused by a number of leading anarchists in the late nineteenth century, and was associated with a number of incidents of...
, with new generations becoming increasingly nihilistic in their beliefs and using terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
to promote their ideas. Some attribute this development to the influence of Mikhail Bakunin
Mikhail Bakunin
Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin was a well-known Russian revolutionary and theorist of collectivist anarchism. He has also often been called the father of anarchist theory in general. Bakunin grew up near Moscow, where he moved to study philosophy and began to read the French Encyclopedists,...
, though this is disputed – see his article for details. Notably, Tsar Alexander II of Russia
Alexander II of Russia
Alexander II , also known as Alexander the Liberator was the Emperor of the Russian Empire from 3 March 1855 until his assassination in 1881...
and President William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
in the United States were both assassinated by anarchists, and anarchists in Spain
Anarchism in Spain
Anarchism has historically gained more support and influence in Spain than anywhere else, especially before Francisco Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939....
launched a series of fatal attacks on Roman Catholic churches in 1909. In Spain, where the Catholic influence was very strong, Maistre's ideas had renewed appeal.
The extreme violence of the left set the stage for perhaps the greatest triumph of Latin Conservatism. Violence between the left and right culminated in the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
(1936–1939), and the right, under Francisco Franco, emerged victorious.
Franco, a devout Catholic and advocate of nationalcatolicismo
Clerical fascism
Clerical fascism is an ideological construct that combines the political and economic doctrines of fascism with theology or religious tradition...
often considered to be a fascist, was intent on destroying violent anarchism and immorality and restoring Catholicism as the state religion and was willing to resort to extreme measures to achieve his goals, as were the leftists. Each side murdered about 80,000 political opponents during the war, and Franco executed some 10,000 more left-wingers after the war.
During Franco's rule as dictator (1939–1975), the principles of Maistre's Latin Conservatism were fully instituted in Spain. Many theaters, which in pre-Franco Spain had were regarded as leftist and amoral, were shut down, and theatre and cinema were heavily censored.
Catholic faith was required to hold a government post. Political dissent was not allowed. Even as Europe became increasingly liberal in the 1950s and 1960s, Franco held firm to his ideas.
He died in 1975 believing that he had chosen a successor more akin to his ideas, however Juan Carlos, while giving tribute to Franco after his death, led the Spanish transition to democracy
Spanish transition to democracy
The Spanish transition to democracy was the era when Spain moved from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco to a liberal democratic state. The transition is usually said to have begun with Franco’s death on 20 November 1975, while its completion has been variously said to be marked by the Spanish...
and Franco's death essentially ended Latin Conservatism as a major political force. In the United States, however, ideas of a similar nature developed independently with some influence from Latin Conservatism, and are currently held by paleoconservatives like Pat Buchanan
Pat Buchanan
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Buchanan is an American paleoconservative political commentator, author, syndicated columnist, politician and broadcaster. Buchanan was a senior adviser to American Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan, and was an original host on CNN's Crossfire. He sought...
and members of the Constitution Party
Constitution Party (United States)
The Constitution Party is a paleoconservative political party in the United States. It was founded as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party by Howard Philips in 1991. Phillips was the party's candidate in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections...
.
Influence and legacy
In Europe, its influence is apparent in the ideas of Jean-Marie Le PenJean-Marie Le Pen
Jean-Marie Le Pen is a French far right-wing and nationalist politician who is founder and former president of the Front National party. Le Pen has run for the French presidency five times, most notably in 2002, when in a surprise upset he came second, polling more votes in the first round than...
and his party, Front National
Front National
Front National can mean:* Front National , a French political party* Front National , a World War II French Resistance group* Front National , a Belgian political party...
, in France, as well as marginal, insignificant groups in other European countries.
Like all political ideologies, Latin Conservatism is the source of much controversy. To conservatives and to many Roman Catholics, it was the only way to prevent the extreme anarchism and violence prevalent at many times in history.
To liberals, however, Latin Conservatism was an inexcusable and overbearing infringement on personal rights. Even its bitterest opponents, however, would concede that under Franco, Latin Conservatism did achieve its goal of maintaining order.
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