Conservatism Key Words

Question 1

Define Pragmatism

Answer 1

A way of making decisions and policies, and approaching society and politics with the attitude of “what matters is what works”.

Question 2

Define Tradition

Answer 2

Respecting institutions that bring together society with a unifying effect (royal family and the union address)

Question 3

Define Scepticism

Answer 3

Treating different ideologies with a level of suspicion

Question 4

Define Empiricism

Answer 4

Basing decisions made on experiences, not theories, supports traditions

Question 5

Define State of Nature

Answer 5

Hobbes - Leviathan

Argued life was bad and short, so in a free state people would seek protection from a bigger state

Question 6

Define Organic State

Answer 6

Society is a living organism and everyone has a part to play in making sure it runs well

Question 7

Define Noblesse Oblige

Answer 7

Those who are born into wealthier and upper classes have a duty to help those in the lower classes

Question 8

Define Paternalism

Answer 8

Power being exerted from the state that acts in the interest of the people

Question 9

Define Change to Conserve

Answer 9

Core idea of conservatism that argues society should adapt to changing circumstances rather than reject change outright and risk revolution or rebellion

Question 10

Define Human imperfection

Answer 10

Humans are flawed beings which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves

Question 11

Define Traditional Conservatism

Answer 11

Strongly associated with the idea of hierachy, those with a higher status have a noblesse oblige to help out the lower classes, more dogmatic

Question 12

Define One Nation Conservatism

Answer 12

Views society as organic, and values pragmatism and paternalism

Question 13

Define Post War consensus

Answer 13

An idea that describes the political cooperation of parties following the ending of the second world war

Question 14

Define Laissez-faire capitalism

Answer 14

A policy that believes that government should have a limited role in the economy and should have low taxes to allow businesses to prosper

Question 15

Define New Right

Answer 15

Mixing of neo-liberalism and neo-conservative beliefs. They are both economically libertarian and socailly authoritian

Question 16

Define Neo-Liberalism

Answer 16

Emphasises the importance of the free market, and laissez-faire economics

Question 17

Define Neo-Conservatism

Answer 17

Principally concerned with questions of morality and the need for social order. They are more authoritarian than neo-liberals

Question 18

Define Anti-permisiveness

Answer 18

Not changing laws to allow for behaviour that some may disapprove of

Question 19

Define atomism

Answer 19

The view that the main part of society is the individual

Question 20

Define objectivism

Answer 20

We can obtain objective knowledge through reasoning and logic