Conservatism

Question 1

Hierarchy

Answer 1

The Conservative belief that society is naturally organised in fixed tiers, where one’s position is not based on individual ability.

Question 2

Authority

Answer 2

For Conservatives, this is the idea that people in higher positions in society are best able to make decisions in the interests of the whole society; authority thus comes from above.

Question 3

Change to conserve

Answer 3

That society should adapt to changing circumstances rather than reject change outright and risk rebellion and/or revolution.

Question 4

Atomism

Answer 4

That society is made up of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals (also known as egoistical individualism).

Question 5

Noblesse Oblige

Answer 5

The duty of the wealthy and privileged to look after those less fortunate.

Question 6

Anti-permissiveness

Answer 6

A rejection of permissiveness, which is the belief that people should make their own moral choices, suggesting there is no objective right and wrong.

Question 7

Radical

Answer 7

Belief whose ideas favour drastic political, economic and social change.

Question 8

Human Imperfection

Answer 8

The traditional conservative belief that humans are flawed in a number of ways which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves.

Question 9

Laissez-faire

Answer 9

A preference towards minimal government intervention in business and the state.

Question 10

Empiricism

Answer 10

The idea that knowledge comes from real experience and not from abstract theories.