Conservatism 101

Discover what conservatives fight to conserve.

Discover what conservatives fight to conserve

Many people know the basic tenets of conservatism, but when asked the question, “What are are conservatives trying to conserve?” most will have trouble coming up with the right answer.

This course will consider the origins of the modern conservative movement and explore the new basis America claimed for political legitimacy: Rights do not come from a government, but from nature and nature’s God.

Are you interested in digging deeper into your own conservative values—or do you want to know more about the future of conservatism? This course will help you understand the values and principles that conservatives share—so that you can better preserve and defend the principles of liberty.

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Learn at your own pace, with lifetime access on mobile and desktop.
Expert Faculty

Learn about Conservatism from subject matter experts and policy professionals.
Low-Cost Training

Thanks to the generous and dependable support of Leadership Institute donors.

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Course curriculum

1. What are conservatives trying to conserve?
2. Conservatism is the antidote to tyranny
3. The conservative alliance
4. Quiz -- Introduction to Conservatism with Chrisopher Malagisi
1. What conservatism is not
2. Understanding American progressivism
3. The waves of liberalism
4. Quiz -- Defining Progressivism with Dr. Matthew Spalding
1. A libertarian conservative fusion
2. Three legs of the conservative stool
3. Working together
4. Quiz -- Fusion Conservatism with Becky Norton Dunlop
1. What is at stake in America?
2. America's contract with its citizens
3. Judicial Activism
4. Quiz -- The Constitution with Mark Levin
1. Peace through strength
2. Seeking order, stability, and moderation
3. The post-Cold War era
4. Quiz -- National Security & Foreign Policy with Cliff May
1. The engine of conservative politics
2. Building a movement
3. Political action
4. Conservative politics today
5. Becoming a wise conservative
6. Quiz -- The Real Nature of Conservative Politics with Morton Blackwell
1. Part 1 - Senator Robert A. Taft
2. Part 2 - Senator Barry Goldwater
3. Quiz -- Leaders in the Early Conservative Movement with Dr. Lee Edwards
1. Part 1 - The Antithesis of Democracy
2. Part 2 - How Communism Spread Across the Globe
3. Part 3 - A History of the Cold War
4. Quiz -- Anti-Communism and the Cold War with Dr. Paul Kengor
1. Part 1 - The Intellectual Precursors of Traditionalism
2. Part 2 - The Leading Modern Traditionalist
3. Part 3 - The Meaning of “Ordered Liberty.”
4. Quiz -- The Intellectual Foundations of the Modern Conservative Movement with Dr. Patrick Deneen
1. Part 1 - The Social Conservative Movement
2. Part 2 - The Many Worldviews of Voters Today
3. Part 3 - Challenges that face America and "Values Voters"
4. Quiz -- The Rise of Social Conservatives and the New Right with Tony Perkins
1. Part 1 - An Overview of Libertarian Ideas
2. Part 2 - The 5 Basic Principles of Economic Freedom
3. Quiz -- Libertarianism and the Five Principles of Economic Freedom with Dr. Stephen Moore
1. Part 1 - The Rise and Fall of Conservatives in the 1980s
2. Part 2 - The Contract with America
3. Part 3 - The Republican Revolution Aftermath
4. Quiz -- The Republican Revolution and Its Aftermath with Kerry Knott
1. Conclusion and Thank You
2. Course Completion Survey

About this course

$19.99
50 lessons
8 hours of video content

Earn a LI Graduate Certificate by Completing this Course

More than 250,000 Leadership Institute graduates work across the conservative movement in campaigns, journalism, think tanks, on Capitol Hill, and beyond. There's no better way to gain a competitive edge in politics.

But that's not all - by earning a LI graduation certificate, you'll gain:

Exclusive access to LI's private Alumni network
Priority status in LI's Employment Placement Services
Increased knowledge and expertise in political technology

Click here to request a custom Conservatism 101 training for your group or organization.

FAQ

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

"You owe it to your philosophy to study how to win."
- Morton C. Blackwell

The Leadership Institute's mission is to increase the number and effectiveness of conservative activists and leaders in the public policy process.

Founded in 1979 by its president, Morton C. Blackwell, the Leadership Institute (LI) teaches conservatives the nuts and bolts of succeeding in the public policy process.
LI offers more than 50 types of training schools, workshops, seminars, and a top-notch intern program.
The Institute also provides an Employment Placement Service to help place conservatives in public policy positions and in the broadcast media, at no cost to employers or job seekers.

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