National Conservatism: Beliefs, Origins, Thinkers and Criticisms

Overview

National conservatism is a variant of conservatism that places the nation, understood as a community with a shared history, culture, language and often religion, at the centre of politics. National conservatives argue that the independent nation-state is the best framework for self-government, social solidarity and the preservation of culture. They tend to favour controlled immigration, scepticism of supranational institutions, protection of domestic industry where it serves national interests, a strong role for religion and family in public life, and an assertive defence of national sovereignty.

The term has been used for decades, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, but it gained new prominence from 2019 onwards through a series of conferences and writings in the United States and Europe. It also describes a broader shift in several conservative parties away from free-market globalism and towards a more nation-centred politics.

National conservatism is distinct from fascism. It works within democratic and constitutional systems, and its leading writers reject racial nationalism and authoritarian rule; critics argue that some movements under this umbrella push against liberal democratic norms, a debate we summarise below.

On our test, national conservatism is defined by a strong Nation score, a Tradition score, a moderate Authority lean and moderate Religious lean, with a centre-leaning economic position.

Core beliefs

The nation-state as the foundation of political order. Independent nations, each governing itself according to its own traditions, are preferable to global governance or empire.
National sovereignty. Decisions should be made by national institutions accountable to citizens, rather than by international bodies, courts or treaties that limit national self-government.
Cultural cohesion. A shared culture, language and history provide the trust needed for democracy and solidarity.
Controlled immigration. Immigration levels should be set by citizens, with emphasis on integration.
Economic nationalism. Trade and industrial policy should serve the national interest, including protecting strategic industries and workers, rather than maximising global efficiency.
Religion and family. Many national conservatives see religious traditions, often Christian or Judeo-Christian in Western contexts, and strong families as central to national life.

History

Nationalism and conservatism have been linked since the nineteenth century, when conservative parties in many countries defended national institutions, monarchy and church. Some nineteenth-century conservatives, such as Bismarck, used nationalism as a unifying force. The twentieth century complicated this connection: extreme nationalism contributed to two world wars, and after 1945 Western European conservatism became closely tied to European integration and the Atlantic alliance.

In Central and Eastern Europe after 1989, conservative parties often adopted national themes, emphasising national identity, religion and sovereignty after decades of Soviet domination. In Western Europe, Euroscepticism grew from the 1990s onwards, culminating in the United Kingdom's 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU. In the United States, "paleoconservatives" such as Patrick Buchanan had argued since the 1990s for immigration restriction, trade protectionism and non-interventionism.

Around 2016, populist and nationalist movements gained ground in several democracies. In 2019, the Edmund Burke Foundation organised the first National Conservatism Conference, building on Israeli political philosopher Yoram Hazony's book The Virtue of Nationalism (2018). The movement issued a statement of principles in 2022. Since then, national conservative ideas have influenced debates in several centre-right parties.

Key thinkers and texts

Yoram Hazony: The Virtue of Nationalism, Conservatism: A Rediscovery.
Roger Scruton: essays on nation, home and "oikophilia" (love of home).
Edmund Burke, claimed as a forebear for his defence of inherited national institutions.
Christopher Lasch: The Revolt of the Elites, influential on critiques of cosmopolitan elites.
Patrick Deneen: Why Liberalism Failed.
David Goodhart: The Road to Somewhere, the "Anywheres vs Somewheres" framework, cited by national conservatives, though Goodhart himself is not a national conservative writer.

Paleoconservatism is an older American variant. Post-liberalism criticises liberal individualism and is sometimes allied with national conservatism. Right-wing populism shares the national emphasis but frames politics as "the people versus the elite"; not all national conservatives are populists. Gaullism in France combined national sovereignty with a strong state and social programmes. Christian democracy shares religious and family values but is more internationalist. Civic nationalism defines the nation by shared values and citizenship, while ethnic nationalism defines it by descent; most national conservative writers say they support a cultural, not ethnic, definition.

Where it sits on our eight axes

On Global vs Nation, national conservatism is among the most nation-focused traditions on our list. On Progress vs Tradition, it scores strongly towards Tradition. On Authority vs Liberty, it leans towards Authority on immigration control, law and order and national security. On Equality vs Markets, it sits near the centre: more willing than fiscal conservatives to use industrial policy and protect workers, but generally pro-business. On Secular vs Religious, it leans Religious, emphasising faith in public life. On Ecology vs Growth, it leans towards Growth, though some writers stress conservation of national landscapes. On Local vs Central, it leans slightly Central: the nation-state is the primary unit. On Revolution vs Reform, it is generally reformist, though populist variants can favour more disruptive change.

Nationalism versus imperialism

A central argument in Hazony's work is that the real alternative to nationalism is not peaceful cosmopolitanism but empire, meaning attempts to impose one political order on many peoples. He presents a world of independent nations as a protection for diversity and freedom. Critics reply that nationalism has historically fuelled war, ethnic conflict and the persecution of minorities, and that international institutions were built precisely to limit those dangers. Supporters of liberal internationalism argue that problems like climate change, pandemics and financial crises require cooperation that independent national decisions can't provide. This disagreement is reflected directly in the Global vs Nation axis on our test.

How it answers the big questions

Who should govern? National institutions accountable to citizens.
What about immigration? Set by the nation, with emphasis on integration and cohesion.
What about trade? Pursue the national interest, including protecting key industries.
What about international organisations? Cooperation is fine, but not at the expense of sovereignty.

In practice today

National conservative ideas influence parties and governments in several countries, including some in Central and Eastern Europe, and factions within centre-right parties in Western Europe and North America. Policies associated with the movement include tighter immigration controls, family policy such as pro-natalist tax benefits, industrial policy, and scepticism of international courts. The degree to which particular governments represent national conservatism, as opposed to populism or illiberal politics, is debated among scholars and commentators.

Criticisms and debates

Liberals argue that national conservatism risks marginalising minorities, immigrants and people who don't share the dominant religion or culture, and that its emphasis on cultural cohesion can slide into exclusion. Political scientists have raised concerns that some governments associated with national conservatism weakened checks and balances, such as independent courts and media, though supporters dispute this characterisation. Free-market conservatives and libertarians argue that protectionism and industrial policy reduce prosperity and expand state power. Internationalists argue that it undermines institutions that help keep peace. National conservatives reply that the nation-state is the foundation of democracy, that cosmopolitan elites have ignored ordinary citizens' concerns, and that cohesive communities are a precondition for solidarity.

Key dates

1990s: Paleoconservatives in the US argue for trade protection and lower immigration.
2016: The UK votes to leave the EU.
2018: Hazony's The Virtue of Nationalism.
2019: The first National Conservatism Conference in Washington, DC.
2022: Publication of a statement of national conservative principles.

A quick self-check

National conservatives typically agree with statements such as "my country's laws should not be overridden by international courts" and "a shared national culture matters for trust". Fiscal conservatives may agree with the first but care less about the second, which often decides which of the two you match.

Common misconceptions

"National conservatism is fascism." It operates within democracy and its main writers reject fascism; critics' concerns usually focus on specific policies or governments.
"It is anti-trade." Most national conservatives accept trade but want it to serve national interests.
"It's an American invention." It has deep roots in European conservatism.

When this result fits

You may lean this way if national sovereignty and cultural cohesion are top priorities for you, you favour controlled immigration and economic policies that protect national industry, and you see faith and family as central to national life. A strongly negative world score (towards Nation) alongside Tradition is the key sign.

A suggested reading path

Hazony's The Virtue of Nationalism is the central text. Scruton's England: An Elegy and Where We Are explore national belonging. Goodhart's The Road to Somewhere is widely discussed. For critiques, read Jan-Werner Müller's What Is Populism? and Yael Tamir's Why Nationalism, which defends a liberal nationalism. Michael Ignatieff's Blood and Belonging is a classic study of nationalism's dangers.

Frequently asked questions

Is national conservatism the same as populism? No, though they often overlap.

Is it far right? It is usually classified as right-wing, and in some cases scholars debate whether particular movements belong to the radical right.

What is "civic" versus "ethnic" nationalism? Civic nationalism defines membership by citizenship and shared values; ethnic nationalism by descent.