Ultraconservatism

Ultraconservatism refers to extreme conservative views in politics or religious practice. In modern politics, ultraconservative usually refers to conservatives of the far-right on the political spectrum, comprising groups or individuals who are located to the right of those who hold mainstream conservative views, and continuing further right to include fringe parties.

Elements of ultraconservatism typically rely on cultural crisis; they frequently support anti-globalism – adopting stances of anti-immigration, nationalism, and sovereignty – use populism and political polarization, with in-group and out-group practices. The primary economic ideology for most ultraconservatives is neoliberalism.

President Javier Milei is a right-wing populist who is often referred to in the media as ultra-conservative or ultra-liberal. Milei's ideology is close to anarcho-capitalism or paleolibertarianism. The Libertad Avanza coalition, led by Milei is referred to as anti-establishment because it rejects Argentina's long-standing political legacy of Peronism.

President Jair Bolsonaro was described as an ultraconservative during his tenure, often aligning his views with President Donald Trump. Upon taking office, Bolsonaro nominated ultraconservative Damares Alves to head the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship. His government would go on to be headed by elites who broadened extractivist activities in the Amazon rainforest, while having confrontations with the indigenous peoples in Brazil.

In the United States, ultraconservatism first appeared when right-wing politicians and businesses led the opposition to the New Deal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Beginning in the 1960s, during the Cold War, ultraconservatism began to rise to prominence, especially with the radical right organization, the John Birch Society. At this time, ultraconservatives were anticommunist, and opposed to the civil rights movement, trade unions, and social programs. Members of the John Birch Society believed that the civil rights movement would lead to the creation of a Soviet Negro Republic in the Southern United States. In 1961, Jacob Javits would say that ultraconservatism "represents a danger to the Republican Party", as it was "moving the party farther to the right ... [which] would transform the Republican Party into a fringe party". Beginning in the 1970s, ultraconservatives attempted to establish their principles into the government and culture of the United States, with the use of think tanks, political action committees, and lobbyists. These groups were typically supported by wealthy individuals, including Richard Uihlein, John McIntyre, and George Coleman. Ultraconservatives would then "mark some groups, seemingly based on race, class, and immigration status", in an effort to polarize the public, saying that some groups were "parasitic" to the economy.

Early into the 21st century, the Second New Right became more ultraconservative, with some elements of neofascism, using nationalism to describe a mythical "past national glory". Following the election of Barack Obama in 2008, ultraconservatives made alarmist statements about the United States debt ceiling, calling for extreme cuts to social spending and the elimination of some social programs entirely. During the Obama administration, ultraconservatives would organize around a message of "taking back our country" from Obama and creating the birther movement.

During Xi Jinping's leadership, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has become more closely related to ultraconservative and ultranationalist views, and is referred by some as having Han-centric elements. The Beijing Daily is a mainland Chinese newspaper, referred to by some as "ultraconservative".

Some hardline pro-Beijing conservatives in Hong Kong have been referred to by critics as "ultraconservative".