Social conservative

A social conservative believes in "traditional morality and social mores and the desire to preserve these in present day society, often through civil law or regulation. Social change is generally regarded as suspect, while social values based on tradition are generally regarded as tried, tested and true. It is a view commonly associated with conservative religious groups, militarism and nationalism." 

"One who favors social policies based on a particular reading of Judeo-Christian values, generally in favor of public prayer and the right to own guns, and opposed to abortion rights, same-sex marriage and the teaching of evolution in public schools." 

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * Compassionate Conservatism
 * Focus on the Family
 * James Dobson
 * Jerry Falwell
 * Moral Majority
 * moral values
 * Pat Robertson
 * religion and empire
 * Religious Left
 * Religious Right
 * right-wing
 * traditional family values
 * values voters

General

 * "social conservative" in the Wiktionary.
 * "social conservatism" in the Wikipedia.

Articles & Commentary

 * Thomas B. Edsall and Ceci Connolly, "GOP's Ties to Christian Right Fraying," Washington Post, March 27, 1998.
 * David Corn, "Hard Right Burning for Bush?," The Nation, July 27, 2000.
 * Tom Barry, "Glossary of the Right-Wing Sectors in U.S. Foreign Policy," RightWeb, December 2003.
 * David D. Kirkpatrick, "Social Conservatives Want More of Their Own to Speak at the G.O.P. Convention," New York Times, July 12, 2004.
 * Peter Wallsten, "Rumblings Are Felt at Base of Bush's Support. As his campaign makes an effort to attract more moderates, some social conservatives protest," Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2004.
 * Melissa Block, "Social Conservative Values Play Key Role in Election," National Public Radio, November 3, 2004: "Exit polls from the presidential election showed voters favoring President George W. Bush on the basis of his moral values. NPR's Melissa Block talks with Gary Bauer, president of the conservative public policy group American Values."
 * David D. Kirkpatrick, "Some Bush Supporters Say They Anticipate a 'Revolution'," New York Times, November 4, 2004.
 * Janet Hook, "Social Security Overhaul Splinters GOP," Los Angeles Times, March 6, 2005: "Factions of economic or social conservatives are questioning Bush's plan on priorities and costs. Party unity is put at risk."
 * Steven Thomma, "Social conservatives flex political muscle in Schiavo case," Knight Ridder, March 20, 2005: "The extraordinary response by the federal government to try to save the life of Terri Schiavo is a testament to the political passion and influence of social conservatives."