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18 - Conservatism

from Part III - Politics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2023

Peter Cane
Affiliation:
Christ's College, Cambridge and Australian National University
H. Kumarasingham
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh
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Summary

The British constitution is typically seen as not only a unique, but a uniquely conservative, set of political arrangements among the constitutions of the world. This characterisation stems from the constitution’s pre-modern origins and continuity over time, and its unwritten, traditional, and organic nature. This historical experience has been far from free of crises, fundamental changes (and reversals), or violent conflict. But the distinguishing feature of British constitutional history is the absence of a modern moment of revolutionary rupture, marking the shift of the state’s foundations from traditional rule to constitutional modernity and documentary constitutionalism.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Conservatism
  • Edited by Peter Cane, Christ's College, Cambridge and Australian National University, H. Kumarasingham, University of Edinburgh
  • Book: The Cambridge Constitutional History of the United Kingdom
  • Online publication: 12 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009277778.022
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  • Conservatism
  • Edited by Peter Cane, Christ's College, Cambridge and Australian National University, H. Kumarasingham, University of Edinburgh
  • Book: The Cambridge Constitutional History of the United Kingdom
  • Online publication: 12 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009277778.022
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Conservatism
  • Edited by Peter Cane, Christ's College, Cambridge and Australian National University, H. Kumarasingham, University of Edinburgh
  • Book: The Cambridge Constitutional History of the United Kingdom
  • Online publication: 12 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009277778.022
Available formats
×