conservatism Flashcards
What does pragmatism mean?
Flexible approach to society with decisions made on the basis of what works
What does paternalism mean?
Benign power exerted from above by the state, governs in the interest of the people
What does tradition mean?
Accumulated wisdom of past societies and a connection between the generations
What does human imperfection mean?
Humans are flawed which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves
What does the organic society/state mean?
State/society is more important than any individual parts
What does libertarianism mean?
(neo-liberalism) Upholds liberty, seeking to maximise autonomy and free choice, mainly in economics
What does hierarchy mean?
Conservative belief that society is naturally organised in fixed unequal tiers
What does authority mean?
People in higher positions in society are best able to make decisions on behalf of others
What does changes to conserve mean?
Idea that society should adapt to changing circumstances by introducing moderate reforms
(reduce risk of rebellion or revolution)
What does atomism mean?
Society made up of self interested/self sufficient individuals
(egotistical individualism)
What are traditional conservatism main views?
Commitment to hierarchic and paternalistic values
What are one-nation conservatism main views?
Updating traditional conservatism in response to the emergence of capitalism
What are new right conservatism main views?
Contains neo-liberal (free market economics and atomistic individualusm) and neo-conservatism (fear of social fragmentation, tough on law and order and public morality)
What does noblesse oblige mean?
Nobility and privilege brings with them social responsibilities, duty and obligations to care for those less fortunate
What does anti-permissiveness mean?
Rejection of permissiveness, which is the belief that people should make their own moral choices
What does radical mean?
Beliefs, ideas or attitude that favour drastic political, economic and social change
What are Thomas Hobbes main views?
Order - ordered society should balance the human need to lead a free life
Human nature - humans are needy, vulnerable and easily led astray whilst attempting to understand the world around them
What are Edmund Burke main views?
Change - political change should be undertaken with great caution and organically
Tradition and empiricism - practise passed down for generations should be respected
What are Michael Oakeshott main views?
Humans Imperfection - society is unpredictable and humans are imperfect
Pragmatism - conservatism being pragmatic
What are Ayn Rand main views?
Objectivism - advocates the virtues of rational self-interest
Freedom - supports pure laissez fair capitalist economy
What are Robert Nozick main views?
Libertarianism - individuals in society can’t be treated as a thing or used against their will as a resource
Self ownership - individuals own their body, abilities, talents and labour
What does Laissez-faire mean?
Minimal intervention in business and the state by the government
What does Empiricism mean?
Knowledge comes from real experience and not from abstract theories
