Reactionary

Reactionary (or reactionist) is a political epithet typically applied to extreme ideological conservatism, especially that which wishes to return to a real or imagined old order of things, and which is willing to use coercive means to do so. The term is primarily used as a term of opprobrium (groups rarely identify themselves as reactionary), meant to assert the idea that the opposition is based in merely reflexive politics rather than responsive and informed views.

Etymology and history

Reactionary comes from the French word réactionnaire, coined in the early 19th century. It was the first of the two words coined (the other being conservative, from the French word conservateur) for the opposition to the French Revolution. "In parliamentary usage, the monarchists were commonly referred to as the Right, although they were often called Reactionaries." (1) This is the first time the word was used to mean "A movement towards the reversal of an existing tendency or state" or a "return to a previous condition of affairs." This meaning is referred to as the French sense of the word. (OED).

Related Topics:
French - French Revolution - Right

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In the 19th century this term was used against individuals and groups that idealized either feudalism or the pre-modern era that preceded the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution when economies were largely agrarian, the landed aristocracy dominated society, a king was on the throne and the church was the moral centre of society. Thus, those labeled reactionary once favoured the aristocracy over the middle class and the working class, even though they later favoured the conservative bourgeoisie---they were against democracy and parliamentarism.

Related Topics:
Feudalism - Industrial Revolution - French Revolution - Agrarian - Landed aristocracy - King - Aristocracy - Middle class - Working class - Bourgeoisie

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The term reactionary is nowadays mostly used pejoratively by political groups, especially those of the left, to qualify politicians that they accuse of wanting to reverse some progress that they claim has been beneficial to society.

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