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Abstract

French

This article explores the historical and sociological relations between contemporary conservatism and medievalism. It first registers the reemergence and increasing prominence of conservatism in contemporary society, most notably in America during the late 20th and the early 21st centuries. It then places conservatism and medievalism and their relationship within a historical-comparative framework. The article concludes that modern conservatism originates in and continues, with some adaptations or innovations, medievalism seen as the ‘golden past’, becoming the original and persisting conservative ideal and model of society and history.

Keywords

capitalism conservatism liberalism medievalism capitalisme conservatisme libéralisme médiévalisme

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Contemporary conservatism and medievalism

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