Conservatism

Question 1

What is conservatism?

Answer 1

A dynamic ideology which resists attacks on the social order and advocates strong government, law and order and stability

Question 2

What is the idea of “better the devil you know”?

Answer 2

The idea that changing to a new type of society is not worth it, because we cannot know what it will be like - it could be a lot worse than what we already have

Question 3

What is the idea of “whatever is, is good”?

Answer 3

The belief that the things that exist have survived for a reason

Question 4

How does tradition sanctify?

Answer 4

Society and politics are refined by tradition

Question 5

What do conservatives believe about change?

Answer 5

That we should not try and instigate change, but allow organic change to build on existing traditions. Society will gradually evolve, with the best things of the past surviving

Question 6

What are the problems with the conservative defence of tradition?

Answer 6

1. Assumes that what is preserved is the best
2. Assumes that previous generations were wiser than us, and thus we should be bound by them
3. Possible for anything to claim it is a tradition and that it should therefore survive

Question 7

What does Heywood say conservatives believe about tradition?

Answer 7

“it should be preserved for the benefit of the living and for generations yet to come”