Red tories

[poster_child]

I was reading through my Canadian Politics textbook, for my poli sci class, and I came across the term "Red Tories". This made me wonder, well, which is it? Are you red, or are you a tory?

The definition in the textbook is:

A minority faction within the Canadian Conservitive Party that has collectivist learnings akin to many British and European conservitivism stressing order, tradition, stability and paternalistic concern for the working class.

This is one of the most bizarre theories I have ever heard. This seems almost like a contradiction. They belive in collectivism, but a free market? They are paternalistic, but are libertarians?

Has anyone ever heard of this theory? Does anyone have any thoughts on it? Is there really such a thing?

[Dimentio]

Very much like the European conservatives - The Christian Democrats. One typical example is the Helmut Kohl federal government in Bundesrepublik Deutschland 1982-1990 and Deutschland 1990-1998.

[Wanted Man]

Yes, it's just the German Christian Democratic Union or the Dutch Christian Democratic Appeal. In general it's related to the ideology of christian-democracy, that formed here in the 80s.

[dakewlguy]

I guess not that different from the combination of neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism. One emphasising the free market, yet the other focusing on maintaining 'traditional values'.

[Eastside Revolt]

Yes, Red Tories are quite bizarre aren't they?

They are like the Chinese "communist" party(not exactly ofcourse), only they are Christian as opposed to Confuscianist.

Either way they are right wing, and aren't even likely to take power anyhow.

[BattleOfTheCowshed]

You've added too much value to what you read, the origin of the term is far more simple: the Canadian Conservatives were once divided into 'Red' and 'Blue' Tories. Red Tories were simply more leftist/liberal Conservatives (keep in mind this is all relative). Blue Conservatives are basically "fuck the working class", while Red Tories are like "The class structure must remain, but lets toss a few more scraps to the Working Class". Red Tory-ism isnt really an entirely distinct political movement, its just meant to be a classification within the conservative movement.

[poster_child]

Good to know. These conservitives have some weird ideas I tell ya.

[RevolverNo9]

It seems analagous to the 'One Nation' Toryism found in Britain, Conservatives who have an ounce of compassion and believe that the ruling class can take better care of their good friends the workers, in a country where everyone is British.