<P> On social issues, many religious conservatives oppose changes in traditional moral standards regarding sexuality and gender roles . They oppose abortion, same - sex marriage and anti-discrimination laws against homosexuals . The libertarian faction tends to ignore these issues, instead focusing on fiscal and monetary policy . Business - oriented conservatives oppose the social conservatives if state laws limiting gay rights threaten to hurt business . The National Review reported in 2016 that, "as evangelical forces have become less unified...the influence of Right - leaning business groups such as the Chamber of Commerce has only grown ." In the culture war of recent decades, multiculturalism has been a flashpoint, especially regarding the humanities curriculum . Historian Peter N. Stearns finds a polarization since the 1960s between conservatives, who believe that the humanities express eternal truths that should be taught, and those who think that the humanities curriculum should be tailored to demonstrate diversity . Generally conservatism opposes the "identity politics" associated with multiculturalism, and supports individualism . In campus battles, progressives demand "Cultural diversity" while conservatives denounce efforts to impose "political correctness" and stifle free speech . </P> <P> Conservatives typically favor a "melting pot" model of assimilation into common English - speaking American culture, as opposed to a "salad bowl" approach that lends legitimacy to many different cultures . In the 21st century, conservatives have warned on the dangers of tolerating radical Islamic elements, of the sort that they say are engaging in large - scale terrorism in Europe . </P> <P> In the United States, the Republican Party has been the party of conservatism since the 1890s, although there was a strong Eastern liberal wing . Since 1964 the conservatives largely took control . Meanwhile, the conservative wing of the Democratic Party, based in the South and strongly opposed to Civil Rights, grew weaker . The most dramatic realignment took place within the White South, which moved from 3--1 Democratic to 3--1 Republican between 1960 and 2000 . </P> <P> In addition, some American libertarians, in the Libertarian Party and even some in the Republican Party, see themselves as conservative, even though they advocate significant economic and social changes--for instance, further dismantling the welfare system or liberalizing drug policy . They see these as conservative policies because they conform to the spirit of individual liberty that they consider to be a traditional American value . However, many libertarian think - tanks such as the Cato Institute, and libertarian intellectuals such as David Boaz describe libertarianism as being "socially liberal and fiscally conservative ." Former Texas Congressman Ron Paul is one of the most well - noted Republicans with a libertarian - leaning philosophy . Espousing a return to a stricter interpretation of the Constitution, an audit of the Federal Reserve System and an end to American Interventionism in other parts of the world, Paul gained a loyal following among libertarians, displaced conservatives in the Republican Party and also made inroads with some Democrats during two failed attempts to gain the Republican Presidential Nomination in 2008 and 2012 . Paul, an obstetrician by training, also ran as the 1988 Libertarian Party Presidential nominee . </P>

Who is considered to be the father of modern intellectual conservatism in america