Conservatism is a popular political approach that typically receives much support from people. The rationale behind this statement is that conservators rely on generally accepted traditions that have governed relationships and processes for many years. Many individuals get accustomed to the existing state of affairs, which makes them oppose changes. That is why political conservators can receive much public support. However, some changes are also needed, meaning that politicians should balance traditions and innovations. Thus, the Clinton and Obama administrations have examples of how the presidents challenged the rise of conservatism and were considered the continuation of it simultaneously.
Bill Clinton’s approach to conservatism can be measured based on his interpretation of homosexuality. On the one hand, he was liberal and wanted to make military service available for gays and lesbians and adopted a policy of ‘do not ask, do not tell.’ This decision was a step against conservatism because homosexual individuals were allowed to serve in the military if they kept their sexual orientation in secret. On the other hand, Clinton signed the Defence of Marriage Act into law. This legislation piece defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
As for Barack Obama, his personality was the greatest challenge to conservatism. Being the first African American president, Obama actively opposed racial discrimination and segregation, which resulted in higher diversity in the US government. However, his foreign policy had signs of conservatism because Obama did not withdraw American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Simultaneously, he launched military raids and airstrikes in Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and other countries.
In conclusion, these two presidents have left a contradictory legacy in American history. They took particular steps to bring innovation and progress to the nation because the empowerment of homosexual individuals and the promotion of diversity are positive phenomena. However, other examples demonstrate that the Clinton and Obama administrations significantly relied on conservative beliefs. Thus, these two presidents revealed that combining conservatism with other political approaches was possible.