5.2a Traditional Conservatism

Question 1

Traditional Conservatism

Answer 1

Traditional conservatism is the oldest form of conservatism but is less significant than one-nation and new right conservatism.

Question 2

Hierarchy and paternalism

Answer 2

The main ideas of traditional conservatism are hierarchy and paternalism.

The paternalism of traditional conservatism is more authoritarian.

Paternalistic and hierarchical ideas of traditional conservatism evolved into one-nation ideas of the noblesse oblige.

Traditional conservatism believes society is naturally hierarchical and based on inequalities.

Question 3

Society

Answer 3

For traditional conservatives, society is a living entity with complex relationships.

Changes to one part of society will affect the rest of society and so gradual change is preferred over radical change

For traditional conservatives, reform to society must be pragmatic and learn from past lessons to ensure practical solutions are established.