Final answer:
Bryant defends the traditionalist position by emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional moral standards, advocating for government regulation of personal behaviors, and supporting laws that reflect their social conservative values.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bryant's definition and defense of the traditionalist position involve advocating for social conservatism, which seeks to preserve traditional moral standards based on natural law or established traditions. Traditionalists often oppose perceived big government interventions, especially in matters they believe should be governed by moral values such as family and sexuality. Despite this, traditionalists have supported legislation that affects personal behaviors, including issues like abortion, prayer in school, and regulating sexual behaviors.
Traditionalists have historically voted for Republicans but sometimes clash with libertarian views within the party, especially regarding government regulation of private conduct. Noteworthy instances where traditionalists have sought to enforce their moral code include the upholding of sodomy laws in various states and attempts to limit judicial review of such matters at the federal level.
In essence, traditionalists pursue a political approach in which government maintains existing social norms and standards, often rooted in religious beliefs or historical precedent. Their defense is often tied to a belief that the state should maintain a society that is orderly and reflects their sense of community values, which may sometimes result in favoring the status quo and the interests of societal elites.