PoliticsAugust 19, 2026
reactionary
ree-AK-shuh-ner-ee
Definition
Opposing political or social progress or reform, often advocating a return to a previous state of affairs.
Etymology
Originating from the French 'réactionnaire' in the 19th century, it was coined during the French Revolution to describe those who opposed revolutionary changes and sought to restore traditional, pre-revolutionary political conditions.
In the news
The article uses the term to define the spectrum of political labels, questioning whether David Hume fits into the category of a regressive opponent of change compared to a liberal or conservative.
Hume’s Philosophical Conservatism – Tristan J. Rogers
Read the full article ↗Law & Liberty