Conservatism Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards on Conservatism.

Pragmatism

An approach that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application.

Empiricism

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

Tradition

The accumulated wisdom of the past that underpins society.

Organic society

Belief that society is not created but emerges and grows, developing like an organism.

Enlightenment

A European intellectual movement of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, emphasising reason and individualism rather than tradition.

Noblesse oblige

The duty of society's elite, the wealthy and privileged, to look after those less fortunate.

Human imperfection

The belief that humans are flawed morally, intellectually and psychologically, which limits the efficacy of the decisions they make.

Laissez-faire

A belief in the free-market capitalist economy and minimal state intervention in economic, social and political spheres.

Atomism

Society exists as a loose collection of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals.

Keynesianism

A system of economic management where the state directly intervenes to stimulate the economy in order to achieve full employment and economic growth.

Stagflation

Persistent high inflation combined with high unemployment and stagnant demand.

Hawkish

Displaying an aggressive, warlike or very strong position politically, economically or diplomatically.

Anti-permissiveness

A rejection, informed by Judaeo-Christian morality, of the relativist idea that there is no right and wrong.

Radical

Any ideas that favour drastic political, economic and social change from the existing status quo.

Hierarchy

A structure in which a person's social position is not determined by their ability but by their background, upbringing and social status.