How German conservatism evolved from defending monarchies to building the modern welfare state
In short: German conservatism is not a single ideology but a shifting collection of theories spanning three centuries. From protecting medieval hierarchies to Otto von Bismarck’s strategic creation of the welfare state, this tradition has constantly reinvented itself, eventually abandoning its monarchist roots to embrace liberal democracy in the post-war era.
For centuries, German conservatism was defined by its support for hierarchical and monarchical structures. Before the mid-19th century, it lacked formal party organization, instead manifesting as a loose movement of intellectuals opposing Enlightenment ideals and the French Revolution. Theorists like Justus Möser and later the 'political Romantics' sought to preserve or restore pre-revolutionary social orders. By the late 19th century, however, the movement adapted to the realities of a unified German Empire under Otto von Bismarck.
Bismarck’s 'revolutionary conservatism' was a masterclass in state-building. Recognizing the rise of liberalism and socialism, he implemented universal male suffrage in 1871 and established the world’s first modern welfare state in the 1880s. By providing pensions, accident insurance, and medical care, Bismarck aimed to integrate workers into the state and secure their loyalty to the Emperor. This paternalistic approach allowed conservatives to maintain traditional authority while simultaneously strengthening the power of the state against political rivals.
The 20th century brought profound upheaval. Following the collapse of the monarchy after World War I, some conservatives gravitated toward far-right nationalism, culminating in collaboration with the Nazi Party in 1933. However, the regime eventually outlawed all independent conservative organizations, and many conservatives were persecuted or murdered. After 1945, the movement underwent a fundamental transformation, shedding its anti-republican past to adopt the principles of liberal democracy. Today, the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union claim this legacy, though they have increasingly shifted toward centrist, technocratic policies, leaving the definition of modern German conservatism as an iridescent and contested term.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Conservatism in Germany
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