Conservatism: Core Ideas and Key Terms (VOCABULARY)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and thinkers in conservatism from the provided notes.

Conservatism

A state of mind emphasizing social order, pragmatism and tradition; an organic view of society with hierarchy and a pessimistic view of human nature.

Hierarchy

A system of social stratification where people have different status and duties; viewed as essential for social function and order.

Organic society

The idea that society evolves naturally like an organism, rather than being artificially constructed.

Tradition

The accumulated wisdom and practices of past generations that guide gradual social change.

Pragmatism

A flexible, non-ideological approach that prioritises what works over strict doctrines.

Social order

The arrangement of society to maintain harmony and stability, often through authority and hierarchy.

Pessimistic view of human nature

Belief that humans are flawed and self-interested, not perfectible.

Patriotism

Loyal love of one's country, linked to social cohesion and national identity.

Natural order of things

The belief that society follows a pre-existing order or hierarchy that should guide change.

Authority

The power to give orders and enforce rules; seen as necessary to prevent anarchy.

Traditional authority (Weber)

Authority based on long-standing customs and institutions that command obedience.

Rational-legal authority (Weber)

Authority derived from laws and formal rules, rather than personal status or tradition.

Charisma (Weber)

A type of authority based on the personal appeal of a leader, contrasted with traditional authority.

Change to conserve

A conservatism theme: adapt to change if it protects social order and stability.

Evolution not revolution

The conservative preference for gradual change over abrupt, radical upheavals.

Edmund Burke

Influential conservative thinker who warned against abstract reform and valued tradition and gradual change.

Reflections on the Revolution in France

Burke’s critique of the French Revolution and the dangers of abandoning tradition.

‘Little platoon’

Burke’s idea that individuals should love and serve the small communities they belong to.

The Prince (Machiavelli)

Work arguing the end justifies the means; rulers may be feared rather than loved and should act pragmatically.

Leviathan

Hobbes’s idea of a powerful sovereign to prevent anarchy and provide social order.

State of nature (Hobbes)

Life without government: “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short,” requiring a strong state.

Hume’s laws and custom

The view that stable governance depends on general laws and customary authority.

Oakeshott

Conservative philosopher who emphasised pragmatism and distrust of grand social engineering; the state as a 'ship of state'.

Noblesse oblige

The duty of the social elite to act in the interests of those less fortunate.

Atomism

The idea that individuals are the fundamental units of society, held together by shared norms and cohesion.

Assimilation (immigration)

Conservatives’ view that immigrant groups should assimilate into national culture for social cohesion.

Marketisation

Applying market principles to public services; central to New Right thinking.

Laissez-faire

Minimal state intervention in the economy; support for private property and free markets.

Trickle-down

The belief that wealth at the top benefits everyone through growth and investment.

Private property

Ownership of property seen as a cornerstone of freedom, security and social order.

Empiricism

Knowledge from experience; tradition/pragmatism over abstract theory; distrust of experts.

Deserving poor

Poverty believed to be due to circumstances beyond the poor’s control (often contrasted with the undeserving poor).

Undeserving poor

Poverty believed to result from personal failings or behaviour; viewed by some as needing limited welfare.

Cycle of deprivation

The idea that poverty repeats across generations, reinforced by welfare systems.

Dependency culture

Welfare state Critique positing that welfare creates a culture of dependency and disincentivises work.

One-nation conservatism

Tradition updated to appeal across classes, emphasising paternalism and social cohesion.

New Right

A fusion of neo-liberal and neo-conservative ideas; economically libertarian but socially authoritarian.

Neo-liberalism

Free-market economics, limited state intervention, and individual responsibility.

Neo-conservatism

Authoritarian moral order with emphasis on law, order and traditional values; often hawkish foreign policy.

Ayn Rand

Objectivism: rational self-interest and laissez-faire capitalism; wealth creators praised.

Objectivism

Philosophy championing rational self-interest and objective reality in economics and ethics.

Nozick

Libertarian thinker arguing for a minimal state, self-ownership and entitlement; critiques of redistribution.

Rawls

Philosopher advocating distributive justice and state intervention to achieve fairness.

Libertarianism

Political philosophy favouring individual freedom and minimal state power.

Self-ownership

Idea that individuals own their bodies and talents and should not be treated as mere resources.