Conservatism

Question 1

Change to conserve

Answer 1

the idea that society
should adapt to changing
circumstances by
introducing moderate
reforms, rather than reject
change outright and risk
rebellion or revolution.

Question 2

Human imperfection

Answer 2

the traditional conservative
belief that humans are
flawed in a number of
ways, which makes them
incapable of making good
decisions for themselves.

Question 3

Atomism

Answer 3

the idea that society is
made up of self-interested
and self-sufficient
individuals (also known as
egoistical individualism). It
can also describe increasing
social breakdown and
isolation.

Question 4

Hierarchy

Answer 4

the conservative belief
that society is naturally
organised in fixed and
unequal tiers, where one’s
social position or status
is not based on individual
ability.

Question 5

Authority

Answer 5

for conservatives, the
idea that people in higher
positions in society are
best able to make decisions
on behalf of other people
or society as a whole;
authority comes naturally
from above and rests on an
accepted obligation from
below to obey

Question 6

Noblesse oblige

Answer 6

a French phrase that
encapsulates the idea
that nobility and privilege
bring with them social
responsibilities, notably the
duty and obligation to care
for those less fortunate.

Question 7

Laissez-faire

Answer 7

minimal intervention in
business and the state by
the government.

Question 8

Radical

Answer 8

a term used to describe
beliefs, ideas or attitudes
that favour drastic political,
economic and social
change.

Question 9

Anti-permissiveness

Answer 9

a rejection of
permissiveness, which
is the belief that people
should make their own
moral choices.

Question 10

Empiricism

Answer 10

the idea that knowledge
comes from real experience
and not from abstract
theories.

Question 11

Minimal or ‘night
watchman’ state

Answer 11

the idea that the role of the
state must be restricted in
order to preserve individual
liberty