Conservatism

Question 1

Examples of pragmatism Thatcher-major

Answer 1

Under Margaret Thatcher, the Conservatives proposed a poll tax - something that John Major (a more one-nation conservative) saw as being not a pragmatic decision and was replaced with the Council Tax.

Question 2

Examples of pragmatism David Cameron

Answer 2

David Cameron’s Conservative Party changed its policies based on coalition compromises between 2010 and 2015.
This can be argued to be because the party changed its ideas to the most electorally and socially pragmatic policies.

Question 3

Pragmatism

Answer 3

Pragmatism rejects ideology and dogma and instead accepts that the best route is what works
“What matters is what works”

Question 4

Tradition

Answer 4

Institutions, customs and practices of a society have developed over time, also has religious roots as conservatives see traditions as God Given. However, this was weakned by the enlightenment of 18th century

Question 5

Examples of traditions valued by cons

Answer 5

Marriage, The church/religioin and the monarchy
Oppose breaks with tradition e.g. hol reform or constitutional changes e.g. devolution, scottish independence

Question 6

Key thinker associated with tradition

Answer 6

Edmund Burke supported ideas of tradition - he wrote after the 1789 French Revolution about the dangers of rejecting the ideas of the past.
Because of human imperfection, we cannot just create a new society - we should listen to the lessons and teachings of the past and society should evolve organically to meet current needs.