A general descriptive term for any of several otherwise rather different, conservative, reactionary or fascist political ideologies, the common denominator of which is their qualified or enthusiastic support for the main features of the current social and economic order, accepting all (or nearly all) of its inequalities of wealth, status and privilege (or even in some cases support for a return to an earlier, even more inegalitarian and hierarchical political-economic order.) Right wing ideologies tend to emphasize the values of order, patriotism, social cohesion, and a personal sense of duty that makes the individual citizen who "knows his place" responsive to discipline from his political and social superiors. In America, the term has a somewhat more derogatory flavor than in Europe.

[See also: ideology, legitimacy, left-wing, fascism, conservatism]