Is there a difference between fiscal and economic conservatism?

renard_ruse

Break up Amazon
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Aug 30, 2007
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When did the term "fiscal conservatism" replace the term "economic conservatism," and why?

I don't like newfangled terminology in general so I don't like to say "fiscal conservatism" but is there actually a difference or is it just semantics?
 
Another thing that annoys the @#$% out of me is how "health care" seems to have replaced "medical care." It was always called "medical care" and then suddenly at some point in the past 20 years it somehow became "health care."

What if I want good old fashioned medical care, is it even available anymore? :confused:
 
The difference is that "fiscal conservatism" means nothing more than avoiding deficit spending/debt by government. It does not necessarily imply small government, it is compatible with a big one provided it collects enough taxes to pay for it all. "Economic conservatism" is a much broader concept and more or less equates with "economic libertarianism."
 
The difference is that "fiscal conservatism" means nothing more than avoiding deficit spending/debt by government. It does not necessarily imply small government, it is compatible with a big one provided it collects enough taxes to pay for it all. "Economic conservatism" is a much broader concept and more or less equates with "economic libertarianism."

Hmm, so these self-styled "fiscal conservatives" could actually be economic liberals? :confused:

One could also surmise it has to do with the difference between fiscal policy and monetary policy, but your definition actually does make some sense.
 
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