What does a reactionary perspective primarily oppose?

A reactionary perspective primarily opposes social change because it seeks to maintain or return to the traditional values, structures, and institutions of the past. This viewpoint often emerges in response to perceived threats from modernity, progressive movements, or policies that challenge established social norms. Reactionaries advocate for a restoration of an earlier social order, often idealizing previous eras as better times.

In contrast to a progressive ideology that embraces change and innovation, reactionary thought argues that social transformations can lead to instability, moral decay, or a loss of identity. This resistance to change can manifest in various ways, including opposition to reforms in areas such as civil rights, education, gender relations, and family structures, as reactionaries often view such changes as disruptive to the cohesion of society.