Chapter 3 - Conservative and Neo-Conservative Paradigms Flashcards
What is an ideology?
An ideology is a shared way of thinking based on a set of ideas that reflect values, beliefs, attitudes, and experiences of a particular person or group
All ideologies offer an account of the ______ order, usually in the form of a worldview
existing
All ideologies provide a model of a desired ______, a vision of the “Good society”
future
All ideologies outline how _______ ______ can and should be brought about
political change
What is political ideology?
The modern, social scientific meaning of the term, sees ideology as an action-orientated belief system, an interrelated set of ideas that in some way guides or inspires political action
Where do the terms “Left” and “Right “ come from?
The terms originate from the seating of the members of the newly elected French Legislative Assembly in 1789 during the French Revolution
Ideologies are not ______ _______ of thought
sealed systems
Ideologies are ______ _____ of ideas that overlap with one another at a number of points
fluid sets
Both radicals and reactionaries _______ during periods of hard times
proliferate
Both radicals and reactionaries are _______ in their ideas
inflexible; no compromise
Both radicals and reactionaries are ________ to resort to violence
susceptible
What is the foundation of the right side of the political spectrum?
Preserve the status quo, oppose change
What is the foundation of the left side of the political spectrum?
Change the foundations of society
What is the foundation of the centre of the political spectrum?
Expand the scope of freedom, accept change, assert the primacy of individual rights, develop market economy and political pluralism
When did conservative ideas first emerge?
Conservative ideas first emerged in the late 18th and early 19th century.
Why did conservative ideas first emerge?
They arose as a reaction against the growing place of economic and political change, which was in many ways symbolized by the French Revolution
In trying to resist the pressures caused by the growth of liberalism, socialism and communism, conservatism stood in defence of:
tradition
Although not entirely opposed to change, conservatism supports __________ ______ and ______ _____.
traditional values; social roles
__________ is important in terms of economic advancement- that is, people are encouraged to compete, work hard, and accumulate wealth and property
Individualism
What is tradition (as an element of conservatism)?
Tradition is the central theme of conservative thought, “the desire to conserve” is closely linked to the perceived virtues of tradition, respect for established customs, and institutions that have endured through times.
In this view, tradition reflects the ___________ ______ of the past and institutions and practices that have been “tested by time” and should be preserved
accumulated wisdoms
Tradition also has the virtue of promoting ________ and _______, giving individuals a sense of social and historical belonging
stability; security
What is pragmatism?
Pragmatism is the belief that action should be shaped by practical circumstances and practical goals, that is, by ‘what works’
What is pragmatism in terms of an element of conservatism?
Conservatives have traditionally emphasized the limitations of human rationality, which arise from the infinite complexity of the world in which we live