Tradicionalista

Tradicionalista is a term used to describe adherents of traditionalism in various political, cultural, and religious contexts, especially within Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking cultures. It denotes a preference for continuity with historical institutions, social orders, and customs believed to be rooted in the past, often with a strong Catholic influence. The precise program and scope of traditionalist thought vary by context, but they commonly emphasize authority, social cohesion, and a wary stance toward liberal or modern reforms.

In Spain, Tradicionalismo refers to the political doctrine of Carlism, the Traditionalist movement that emerged in the 1830s after a succession crisis. Carlist traditionalists defended the claim of a Carlist dynastic line to the Spanish throne, the defense of Catholic values, and the preservation of regional fueros or historic rights in areas such as Navarre and the Basque Country. The movement organized into the Comunión Tradicionalista and carried influence through several periods of conflict and political activity, coexisting with other conservative currents and later evolving under various monarchist and anti-republican arrangements.

In Catholic circles, Tradicionalistas can denote groups within Traditionalist Catholicism that advocate a return to pre-Vatican II liturgical practices and conservative doctrinal positions. These communities range from officially recognized traditionalist movements to independent groups, and they often emphasize liturgical continuity and hierarchical authority.

The term also appears in other Lusophone contexts and broader conservative discourse, where Tradicionalistas are associated with monarchist, religiously grounded, and culturally conservative currents that seek to uphold historical forms of social and political order in the face of modernization.