Key aspects of the Carlist school's ideology include:
* Traditionalism: A strong emphasis on tradition, Catholicism, and the historical rights of the Carlist dynasty. They were deeply skeptical of liberalism, republicanism, and secularism.
* Regionalism (Foralismo): Strong support for regional autonomy, particularly in Basque Country and Navarre, where Carlist support was strongest. This often involved a defense of traditional fueros (regional privileges and laws).
* Anti-centralization: Opposition to a strong, centralized state, preferring a decentralized model with significant power devolved to local communities and regions.
* Social conservatism: Generally conservative views on social issues, often combining religious traditionalism with a concern for the welfare of the poor and the working class (though not always consistently). This sometimes manifested as a form of paternalistic conservatism.
* Traditionalist Catholicism: Deeply rooted in Catholic faith and tradition, often expressing a critique of the perceived modernizing trends within the Catholic Church itself. They were suspicious of modernization’s effects on religion.
It's important to note that the Carlist school wasn't monolithic. There were internal disagreements and differing perspectives on strategy and emphasis within the movement. Thinkers associated with it varied in their intellectual sophistication and influence, ranging from political activists to serious intellectuals. Their writings, however, often shared a common thread of traditionalist and anti-liberal thought. Their impact was largely confined to Spain, although their ideas resonated within broader European traditionalist circles.