ATTITUDE TO SOCIAL POLICY IN AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE THOUGHT

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to identify the features of the attitude of American conservatives to social policy. In European countries, conservative philosophers at the end of the 19th century were among the first supporters of active social policy of the state, and in the United States, conservatives believed that the state should not interfere in the economy. In the 2010s, interest in conservatism increased in the world, therefore, it is important for domestic political science to outline a conservative approach to social policy. The author examines the works of American authors of the last two centuries, researches the social philosophy of conservative thinkers from the United States, studies the key aspects of the perception of the redistribution system. It was revealed that American conservatives oppose the welfare state, warning that it harms the operation of market mechanisms, increases public debt, inhibits economic development and undermines the hard work and independence of citizens. All conservatives agree that the greatest increase in the well-being of citizens is facilitated by the operation of the market in a free capitalist system, which fairly distributes funds according to the laws of supply and demand. Government intervention should be minimal. It is proposed to provide assistance to those in need only when absolutely necessary, to limit the federal bureaucracy, rely on charity, local mutual assistance. The most critical of social policy are libertarians, opponents of communism and representatives of southern conservatism; representatives of traditional conservatism, neoconservatism and liberal conservatism allow limited government intervention.