Reactionary movements embrace radical change to defend or restore hierarchies.

Evidence

As political theorist Corey Robin argues, such movements are only averse to one kind of change: change that threatens their power. Where ideology and tactics are concerned, they are quite willing to change—even radically—in order to defend existing hierarchies or restore old ones. Indeed, they are even prepared to use violent and revolutionary means. This is why Trump’s staunchest allies so often (mis)represent the spirit of 1690 as the spirit of 1776. — Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, The Flag and the Cross, 334

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the distinction between reactionary and conservative — relevant to the broader claim that contemporary white Christian nationalism is reactionary rather than preserving the status quo. — connects to: Racial anxiety about Obama ignited the Tea Party movement — Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, The Flag and the Cross: White Christian…, 270; America has repeatedly overcome reactionary authoritarian movements before — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the…, 1065; Unled spontaneous revolts invite reactionary counter-movements and coups — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 808 (+2 more)
• DEFINE: Sharply defines ‘reactionary’ against ‘conservative’: one seeks to preserve status quo, the other to destroy the present and restore a mythic past.

Broader Connections

• America has repeatedly overcome reactionary authoritarian movements before #complicates (0.75) — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers, 1065
• Unled spontaneous revolts invite reactionary counter-movements and coups #exemplifies (0.70) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 808