Conservatism Key Words Flashcards
(20 cards)
Define Pragmatism
A way of making decisions and policies, and approaching society and politics with the attitude of “what matters is what works”.
Define Tradition
Respecting institutions that bring together society with a unifying effect (royal family and the union address)
Define Scepticism
Treating different ideologies with a level of suspicion
Define Empiricism
Basing decisions made on experiences, not theories, supports traditions
Define State of Nature
Hobbes - Leviathan
Argued life was bad and short, so in a free state people would seek protection from a bigger state
Define Organic State
Society is a living organism and everyone has a part to play in making sure it runs well
Define Noblesse Oblige
Those who are born into wealthier and upper classes have a duty to help those in the lower classes
Define Paternalism
Power being exerted from the state that acts in the interest of the people
Define Change to Conserve
Core idea of conservatism that argues society should adapt to changing circumstances rather than reject change outright and risk revolution or rebellion
Define Human imperfection
Humans are flawed beings which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves
Define Traditional Conservatism
Strongly associated with the idea of hierachy, those with a higher status have a noblesse oblige to help out the lower classes, more dogmatic
Define One Nation Conservatism
Views society as organic, and values pragmatism and paternalism
Define Post War consensus
An idea that describes the political cooperation of parties following the ending of the second world war
Define Laissez-faire capitalism
A policy that believes that government should have a limited role in the economy and should have low taxes to allow businesses to prosper
Define New Right
Mixing of neo-liberalism and neo-conservative beliefs. They are both economically libertarian and socailly authoritian
Define Neo-Liberalism
Emphasises the importance of the free market, and laissez-faire economics
Define Neo-Conservatism
Principally concerned with questions of morality and the need for social order. They are more authoritarian than neo-liberals
Define Anti-permisiveness
Not changing laws to allow for behaviour that some may disapprove of
Define atomism
The view that the main part of society is the individual
Define objectivism
We can obtain objective knowledge through reasoning and logic
