Reactionary Philosophical Movement

A Reactionary Philosophical Movement is a philosophical movement that seeks to restore or revive historical societal structures in opposition to progressive changes and modern values.

• AKA: Radical Traditionalism, Counter-Revolutionary Movement, Anti-Progressive Philosophy.
• Context:
  • It can typically reject Enlightenment Principles through traditionalist arguments and hierarchical value systems.
  • It can typically oppose Liberal Democracy through anti-egalitarian frameworks and authority-based governance models.
  • It can typically advocate for Pre-Modern Governance Models through idealized historical narratives.
  • It can typically criticize Social Equality as a destabilizing force in societal structures.
  • It can typically reject Secular Value Systems in favor of traditional religious frameworks.
  • ...
  • It can often idealize Historical Golden Age through selective historical interpretations.
  • It can often promote Social Hierarchy through natural order arguments.
  • It can often oppose Cultural Progressivism through moral traditionalism.
  • It can often challenge Modernist Assumptions about human nature and social organization.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Moderate Reactionary Philosophical Movement to being a Radical Reactionary Philosophical Movement, depending on its implementation intensity.
  • It can range from being a Religious Reactionary Philosophical Movement to being a Secular Reactionary Philosophical Movement, depending on its foundational worldview.
  • It can range from being a Political Reactionary Philosophical Movement to being a Cultural Reactionary Philosophical Movement, depending on its primary domain.
  • It can range from being a Historical Reactionary Philosophical Movement to being a Contemporary Reactionary Philosophical Movement, depending on its temporal context.
  • ...
  • It can have Historical Roots in counter-revolutionary thought and anti-modernist traditions.
  • It can maintain Nostalgic Orientation toward pre-modern social arrangements and traditional hierarchy.
  • It can promote Cyclical History View over progressive historical narratives.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Reactionary Philosophical Movement Historical Types, such as:
    • 19th Century Reactionary Movements, such as:
      • Throne and Altar Movement for restoration of monarchy.
      • Counter-Enlightenment Movement for religious authority revival.
    • 20th Century Reactionary Movements, such as:
      • Traditionalist School for perennial philosophy restoration.
      • Integral Traditionalism for pre-modern value revival.
  • Reactionary Philosophical Movement Contemporary Expressions, such as:
    • Neo-Reactionary Movements, such as:
      • Dark Enlightenment Movement for anti-democratic governance advocacy.
      • Neocameralist Philosophy for corporate governance model implementation.
    • Radical Traditionalist Movements, such as:
      • New Right Movement for hierarchical society promotion.
      • Identitarian Movement for ethnic traditionalism.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Conservative Movements, which seek to preserve status quo rather than restore past orders.
  • Progressive Movements, which advocate for social change in opposition to reactionary values.
  • Reform Movements, which seek to improve existing systems rather than replace them with historical models.
  • Revolutionary Movements, which pursue radical transformation toward new social arrangements rather than historical restoration.
  • Traditionalist Conservative Movements, which value tradition but work within contemporary frameworks rather than seeking complete restoration.
• See: Reactionary, Traditionalism, Counter-Enlightenment, Anti-Modernism, Conservatism, Dark Enlightenment Movement, Perennialism, Monarchism, Religious Fundamentalism, Authoritarian Ideology.

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References

2023a

• (Wikipedia, 2023) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactionary Retrieved:2025-3-15.

  * NOTE: Defines reactionaries as those who seek to restore the status quo ante, typically opposing progressivism and favoring hierarchical societies.

2023b

• (Wikipedia, 2023) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Enlightenment Retrieved:2025-3-15.

  * NOTE: Describes the Dark Enlightenment as a prime example of a contemporary reactionary philosophical movement that rejects democracy in favor of authoritarian governance models.

2022

• (Populism Studies Organization, 2022) ⇒ https://www.populismstudies.org/Vocabulary/reactionary-populism/ Retrieved:2025-3-15.

  * NOTE: Examines the connection between reactionary philosophical movements and populist political expressions.

2016

• (Menand, 2016) ⇒ "Rise of the Reactionaries." *The New Yorker*, October 24, 2016.

  * NOTE: Analyzes the resurgence of reactionary thought in contemporary politics and its intellectual foundations.

2012

• (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2012) ⇒ https://www.britannica.com/topic/reactionary-movement Retrieved:2025-3-15.

  * NOTE: Provides a comprehensive overview of reactionary movements throughout history and their defining characteristics.

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